Ray Smith retiring after 35 years

Ray Smith served as the Phenix City Chief of Police for 14 years, served as the assistant city manager, and in October 2022, he became Director of Public Safety. Now, after 35 years of service, he has decided to retire.

“Ray is a person who is very dear to me – a good person, a good human being, multi-talented – the city will miss him very much,” said City Manager Wallace Hunter who has worked hand-in-hand with Smith during the entirety of both their careers. “He’s had a great career. I’ve just enjoyed working with him and getting to know him and his family. He’s one of the best officers or employees that has ever worked here. He’s been super valuable to the city, and I’m going to miss him. We’ve shared a lot together during our careers. It’s bittersweet.”

Born at Fort Benning and raised in Phenix City, Smith attended Chevalla High School and graduated from Russell County High School. He began his service with the city in 1989, after completing training at the Selma Police Academy, following his father’s footsteps into law enforcement. In his first few months with the Phenix City Police Department, Smith worked as a jailor, then a dispatcher. From there, he moved to patrol, where he stayed for four years before being promoted to Sergeant. After two years in that position, Smith was transferred to the juvenile division, where he worked for seven years; it was his favorite job. He attended classes at Chattahoochee Valley Community College and graduated in 1993 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He graduated from Troy University with a bachelor’s in Human Services in 1995 and, in 1997, he earned a master’s in psychology there.

In 2006, Smith graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., where he learned profiling, communication, analysis, investigative techniques, and lots of leadership – like how to coordinate between law enforcement agencies. Now that he is retired, Smith said he will spend more time at home with family and getting projects done.