After spending nearly four years as Scotland County's chief deputy, Steve Smith is going back to college.

The Laurinburg man isn't becoming a student. Instead, he will be helping those seeking a return to the classroom.

Smith will begin as vice president of continuing education for Richmond Community College on July 1, leaving his old job at the Scotland Sheriff's office.

Sheriff Shep Jones confirmed Smith's departure from the sheriff's office.

"I hate to see him leave, but it is an excellent opportunity for him," Jones said. "I encouraged him to accept it. I am proud of him and have enjoyed working with him over the past four years."

Jones said he has several candidates in mind for Smith's replacement and could name a new chief deputy as soon as next week.

County Manager Kevin Patterson applauded Smith's performance on the job.

"He's done an excellent job for the county and the sheriff's department," Patterson said. "I think this is an excellent opportunity that fits his personal strengths and goals and I wish him well."

This is not Smith's first time working on the RCC campus in Hamlet – he spent 14 years as an associate professor of criminal justice before being appointed chief deputy.

In his 25 years in criminal justice, Smith has also served a patrol deputy and juvenile/child sex abuse investigator with the Scotland County Sheriff's Office, a private security officer and a telecommunicator and police officer with the Hickory Police Department,

Smith hold's an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Sheriff's Training and Standards Commission, the highest certification a deputy can receive. He was named D.A.R.E. officer of the year in 1991.

Smith was at a teaching seminar in Canada and could not be reached for comment.

Calls to Richmond Community College were not returned by press time.