Eleven third graders were taken to the Troup County Jail on Friday. After a tour, they left and explored the rest of the Troup County Sheriff’s Office for the Sheriff for the Day event.

One student from every Troup County elementary school toured the county’s sheriff’s office, jail and government center. They met Sheriff James Woodruff and most of the staff, entered patrol vehicles and saw demonstrations. 

TCSO Sgt. Stewart Smith said the day is part of the Junior Deputy Program, a program in which Smith will go to all Troup County public school’s third-grade classes and teach them school, home and bicycle safety, along with saying no to drugs and alcohol. At the end of the school year, each school’s staff selects one of their third-grade students to participate in the day.

“I think it’s really great, seeing all of the things they do and how it works,” said Aaron Parker, a Rosemont Elementary School student.

Smith said this was his fifth or sixth time hosting the event. 

“We certainly appreciate the partnership that the school system does with us every year,” Smith said. “They’re generous to allow us to carry out this opportunity.”

He said he likes having the chance to interact with the students.

“I probably get to see 900 to 1,000 third graders every year,” Smith said. “And they get to see us as a positive example in the community.”

Parker, Jada Person, Zameriah Alford, Lucas Fitch, Dawson Hayes, Jatara Cochran, Jordan Cammon, Kayden Anderson, Ashley Rodas-Lopez, Kaylee Spurlin and Abry Harmon participated in Sherriff for the Day.

“I was looking forward to seeing what kind of work the deputies do,” said Cochran, a Berta Weathersbee Elementary School student. 

“Today was an amazing day for me, I never thought I would come here. It was a great surprise to be here.”