Wheeler County

Hired by the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office in July of 1990, Mike Smith began as a reserve deputy. He was also a patrol deputy and a resident patrol deputy during his time with the Sheriff’s Office.

In July of 2001, he was hired by the Forest Grove Police Department, working in patrol and was a shift supervisor, Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Department Range Master and FTO. Smith was also part of the Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team (CLET), which was comprised of several Washington County Police agencies. Later, he became a detective and was assigned to the Washington County Major Crimes Team that investigated all major crimes within the county.

In May of 2017, he went to work for the Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office where he worked patrol out of the Arlington Office. In August of 2018, he went to work for the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office as the undersheriff. In December of 2018, Mike Smith was appointed Sheriff of Wheeler County.
Raised in Klamath Falls, Smith attended Mazama High School and later attended College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California where he received a California P.O.S.T (Police Office Standards Training) certificate.

He enjoys training both police and civilians on safe handling and use of firearms in order to protect themselves and their loved ones. He married his wife, Laura, in 1993. They have two children, both of whom are adults and currently live in the Portland Metro area. In his free time, Mike enjoys hunting, fishing, shooting and the outdoors.