Greene County Sheriff Lemmie Smith confirmed with Neuse News that he will be retiring. On the Greene County Board of County Commissioners Agenda for Monday, February 7, 2022, under the County Managers report, there is an agenda item for a new Interim Sheriff appointment.

“Being the youngest Commissioner, Sheriff Smith has been part of the Sheriff’s Office for as long as I can remember,” said Greene County Commissioner Derek Burress. “When someone has been part of the office that as long as he has, you sort of (kind of) associate the office with their presence. Sheriff Smith’s presence will definitely be missed and I wish him well in his retirement.”

Sheriff Smith had already filed for the sheriff’s seat in the 2022 election for Greene County.

“Any person who has filed a notice of candidacy for an office has the right to withdraw it,” said Director of Elections for Greene County, Trey Cash. “The withdrawal must be completed any time before the end of the third business day before the filing period ends.”