The Phillips County Sheriff's Office welcomed new Deputy Darrell Smith recently. Smith and his wife, Kyla, and their children moved to Haxtun a year and a half ago.

"We have been loving it," Smith said of his rural Haxtun living.

Smith grew up in Stockton, Calif. but moved to Colorado almost a decade ago when he took a job with M-V Equipment. He worked there in the accounting department but the company eventually sold and he chose a different career path.

After M-V, Smith took a job with the Colorado Department of Corrections. While at DOC, Smith worked in maximum security and moved up in ranking to Lieutenant. He also spent four years on the DOC's Emergency Response Team.

Before moving to Colorado, Smith served in the Navy and covered a number of security assignments. He was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a part of the Expeditionary Strike Group. After four years of service, Smith was honorably discharged with a number of medals.

From his time at the prison, Smith got to know Nathon Nadow, who later worked as a Deputy with the Phillips County Sheriff's Office. In needed a change, Smith's wife saw a posting for a deputy opening with the Sheriff's Office and he chose to pursue a career police work.

Nadow, who worked at the Sheriff's office for several years, recently took the Haxtun Police Chief position.

"Honestly, the thing I think I am most excited about is just doing the job," Smith said of joining the Phillips County Sheriff's Office. "So far it's been great and I'm looking forward to providing a good service to the community."

Smith and his wife Kyla have two kids, both of whom attend Haxtun Schools; Bret is in high school and Dilylah is in fifth grade.

The Phillips County Sheriff's Office force includes Sheriff Thom Elliott, Undersheriff Mike Beard, Deputy Smith and Victim Advocate and Administrative Assistant Kelly Sullivan.