Lieutenant Chris Smith grew up in rural Linn County and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1996. He went on to attend Cornell College in Mt. Vernon and graduated in 2000 earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Philosophy.
Chris began his career in law enforcement as a Deputy with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office in March 2001. Chris graduated from the Cedar Rapids Police Department Academy in the summer of 2001. He was assigned to the Correctional Center until the winter of 2007 when he transferred to the Patrol Division. Chris worked in the Patrol Division until he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the summer of 2014 and assigned to the Correctional Center. He continued that assignment until the summer of 2016 when he transferred back to the Patrol Division as a supervisor. Chris was a supervisor for the Patrol Division from 2016 until he was transferred to the General Services Division in October 2021. Chris worked in the General Service Division until he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in August 2022 and was assigned back to the Patrol Division, as the Assistant Patrol Commander.
In 2014, Lt. Smith completed the 5-STAR PLE Leadership 1: Becoming a Force Multiplier Course. He continued his law enforcement education in 2019 completing the National Command & Staff College Criminal Justice Commission for Credible Leadership (CLO) and is a National 4-Star Credible Leader (CCL).
Lt. Smith has been a member of the Sheriff’s Special Response Team (SRT) since 2005 and is currently a team leader. Lt. Smith is also an instructor for the A.L.I.C.E. program (active Shooter Training), Defensive Tactics, Chemical and Less Lethal Munitions, and Firearms. Lt. Smith continues to assist our department as an Armor for our departments Glock sidearms.
Lt. Smith is also a member of the Iowa Army National Guard and has been a member since 1998. He is currently a Major with the 185th Regiment, RTI. Lt. Smith is working on the completion of the US Army Command and General Staff Officer Course (CGSOC), to earn the next rank of Lieutenant Colonel.