DelCo Undersheriff named Senate 2022 Woman of Distinction

Posted

New York State Senator Peter Oberacker marked Women’s Equality Day by announcing Delaware County Undersheriff Kim Smith as the 2022 New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction” from the 51st Senate District.

“We are fortunate to have so many trailblazing women in the 51st Senate District who inspire us all on a daily basis,” said Oberacker. “Kim Smith is a highly decorated law enforcement officer and a true community leader. As the first female Undersheriff in Delaware County history, she continues to break new ground. Kim exemplifies the qualities that set all of our law enforcement officers apart and I am truly honored to recognize her as a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.”

The senate’s “Women of Distinction” program was created in 1998 to honor New York women who exemplify personal excellence, or whose professional achievements or acts of courage, selflessness, integrity or perseverance serve as an example to all New Yorkers.

The Senate Women of Distinction program is an ideal way to celebrate the contributions of all women and recognize their positive impact on our communities, Oberacker said. 

Smith started as a part-time corrections officer with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office in 1997. Upon graduation from the Otsego County Law Enforcement Academy in 2001, she joined the road patrol division serving there for more than two decades. She continued to rise through the ranks and in June of 2015, Kim was promoted to corporal, continuing her road patrol and evidence custodian duties until January 2016 when she transitioned off the road into the position of agency accreditation manager as well as taking on and overseeing a number of other agency responsibilities.   

In February 2018, Smith was promoted to sergeant, the first female to hold the title in Delaware County.   

In January 2020, Smith became the first female recipient of the prestigious Sheriff Carl Draxler Award given annually by the NYS Sheriff’s Institute recognizing exceptional career achievements, conscientious devotion to duty, and a spirit of selfless public service.

In March 2020, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office was successfully awarded re-accreditation in their Law Enforcement Division by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services with Smith being acknowledged for her role in achieving that recognition.

In May of 2022, Kim was named undersheriff.

Smith and her husband Donald, a self-employed dairy farmer and councilmember, live in Franklin and have raised four children together.