Carroll County voters will head to the polls on August 6, 2026 to choose their next Sheriff.
On June 30, each candidate will answer questions from the public in a forum at the Carroll County Civic Center.
Ahead of that event, let’s meet each candidate.
Meet Eric Sawyers
My name is Eric Sawyers, and I am honored to be the Republican candidate for Carroll County Sheriff. As a fifth-generation Carroll Countian, my roots run deep in this community. I am a proud graduate of Huntingdon High School and have spent my life serving and supporting the people of Carroll County.
My wife Rachel and I have been married for 16 years, and together we are raising our two teenage sons on our small farm here in Carroll County. Family, faith, hard work and community values are the principles that guide my life everyday.
I began my law enforcement career at 19 years old as a reserve deputy for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. At 23 years old, I was hired as a full-time deputy and have proudly served the citizens of Carroll County ever since.
Over the past 25 years, I have gained experience in nearly every aspect of law enforcement, serving as a Patrol Deputy, Shift Sergeant, Firearms Instructor, General Department Instructor, Evidence Custodian and Criminal Investigator. These experiences have provided me with leadership, knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to lead the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. I understand the challenges facing our community, our deputies and our justice system, because I have spent my career serving on the front lines.
As Sheriff, I can assure you that my leadership style will be visible, involved and accessible. My top priorities will be public safety, fighting crime and aggressively targeting drug dealers who threaten our communities. I am committed to making Carroll County a safer place for every family.
The safety of our children is one of my highest priorities. We will provide additional patrols around our schools and fully support our school resource officers who work everyday to protect our students, teachers and staff. By working together we can strengthen the safety and security of our community while continuing to make Carroll County a great place to live, work, worship and raise a family.
I will work closely with the County Mayor’s office and County Commission to pursue every available grant opportunity to provide the training, equipment and resources our Sheriff’s Office employees need to serve our community effectively. By securing outside funding whenever possible, we can reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers while ensuring our employees have the tools necessary to do their jobs safely and professionally.
I am committed to being a responsible steward of your tax dollars. I will eliminate wasteful spending, operate the Sheriff’s Office with fiscal discipline and make every dollar count. My goal is to provide the highest level of public safety while maintaining a conservative, accountable approach to managing county resources.
As your sheriff, I will build a Sheriff’s Office that is professional, well-trained, well-supported, and committed to serving the citizens of Carroll County with integrity and compassion. I will be visible, accessible and actively engaged with our community. I believe accountability starts at the top, and I expect the citizens of Carroll County to hold me accountable just as I will hold every member of the Sheriff’s Office accountable. By working together, we can build a safer, stronger and better Carroll County for our families and future generations.
I humbly ask for your vote to be the next sheriff of Carroll County.
Meet Michael A. Smith
My name is Michael A. Smith. I was born in Milan, Tennessee, to Lucille Hart and Harry Smith, and I am the youngest of eleven children. I have lived in Carroll County my entire life and am proud to call this community home. I attended Huntingdon High School and graduated in 1990.
My wife, Janna, and I have been married for nine years. Together, we have a blended family of eight children and thirteen grandchildren. We currently reside in Hollow Rock, Tennessee.
I currently serve as a Shift Sergeant on the night shift with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and also own and operate Smith Roofing, Construction and Home Repair, a small business I have successfully managed for the past twenty-five years.
My law enforcement career began in 2008 as a part-time dispatcher with the Benton County Sheriff’s Department. I later became a full-time Corrections Officer. In January 2010, Benton County sent me to the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy, where I graduated on March 11, 2010. After serving Benton County for another year, I joined the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, where I have proudly served for the past fourteen years. Ten of those years have been spent serving as a Shift Sergeant on the night shift.
Community Service and Leadership
Serving and protecting others has been a lifelong commitment for me. Throughout the years, I have served Carroll County in many capacities, including:
- Volunteer Firefighter for the Hollow Rock and Carroll County Fire Departments for 15 years.
- Certified Firefighter I, II, and III.
- Member of the first graduating class of Carroll County First Responders.
- Member of the Carroll County Rescue Squad for 15 years.
- Member of the Carroll County Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Team for 2 years.
- Alderman for the Town of Hollow Rock for 14 years.
- Vice Mayor of Hollow Rock for 4 years.
- Completed 14 hours of class with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
- Attended the Tennessee Dangerous Drug Task Force class where I was certified in clandestine labs.
My experience in law enforcement, emergency services, local government, and small business ownership has given me a unique understanding of the needs of Carroll County and its citizens.
Why do I want to be Carroll County Sheriff?
I want to be Sheriff so I can continue serving the residents of Carroll County while supporting the men and women who serve alongside me. My goal is to build a stronger, more professional department that puts people first, promotes accountability, and provides the highest level of service and protection to our community. By working together, we can ensure a safer future for Carroll County and continue building a Sheriff’s Office that our citizens can trust and be proud of.
Together, Working for a Safer Tomorrow in Carroll County.
Meet Ryan White
Chief White is a dedicated law enforcement professional with 25 years of service and a career distinguished by leadership, integrity, and commitment to community safety. He began his law enforcement career as a Reserve Deputy with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. He was later hired as a full-time officer with the McKenzie Police Department, where he built his career and advanced through the ranks from Patrol Officer to Chief of Police.
During his tenure with the department, he has served as Corporal, Sergeant, Administration Sergeant, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief, and Chief of Police. Throughout his career, Chief White has gained extensive experience in patrol, investigations, narcotics enforcement, training, and administration. His specialized assignments have included K-9 Officer, Evidence Custodian, Narcotics Investigator, General Investigator, Clan Lab Technician and Site Safety Officer, Driving School Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and General Departmental Instructor (GDI).
For the past three and a half years as Chief of Police, he has been responsible for developing, managing, and overseeing departmental budgets, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources while maintaining high standards of public safety and operational effectiveness. His administrative experience includes strategic planning, personnel management, fiscal oversight, and working closely with city leadership to meet the needs of both the department and the community.
Committed to professional growth and leadership development, Chief White completed First Line Leadership training in 2014, graduated from the Southeastern Leadership Academy (SELA) in 2017, and graduated from the Carroll County Leadership Academy in 2025. He is currently participating in the WESTSTAR Leadership Program.
In addition to his law enforcement duties, Chief White is actively involved in his community and professional organizations. He is a member of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and the McKenzie Rotary Club.
Drawing on a quarter-century of law enforcement experience, Chief White continues to lead with a focus on public safety, professional excellence, fiscal responsibility, and strong community partnerships.
Chief White is seeking the position of Carroll County Sheriff to serve all of Carroll County by implementing community programs and technology upgrades that have proven successful during his tenure as police chief.
By implementing county-wide zoning to reduce response times, improving transparency through the use of body cameras, prioritizing education through continued deputy training and greater communication with the public, Chief White aims to raise the bar, holding the department to a higher standard of public service.
Chief White plans to implement each piece of his plan for a better department while saving taxpayers money through grants, cleaning up the county through aggressive drug enforcement, and implementing greater mental health services and “second chance” life skills programs for inmates to stop the “revolving door” of recidivism.
Finally, Chief White plans to expand the successful “Shop with a First Responder” program to meet the needs of all of Carroll County’s financially disadvantaged youth because every child deserves to experience the magic of Christmastime.
I humbly ask for your vote on August 6, 2026.