Local

Daily Journal features Sgt. Hillary Smith after Officer of Year honor

A Facebook post said the Daily Journal visited yesterday to feature Sgt. Hillary Smith, who earlier this year was honored as the 2025 R.L. “Bob” Jones Officer of the Year.

The post did not provide additional details about the visit or the feature. The R.L. “Bob” Jones Officer of the Year award recognizes outstanding service by law enforcement officers and is commonly used to highlight leadership, community engagement and professional achievement.

Local newspaper coverage can raise public awareness of individual accomplishments and the work of law enforcement agencies. Stories about officers of the year often serve to inform residents about efforts to improve public safety and build trust between agencies and the communities they serve.

The Facebook post expressing appreciation to the Daily Journal served as the primary notice of the visit. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Jon Myers

Jon Ross Myers founded Mississippi News Group in 2013. Before founding the organization, he worked at The Daily Mississippian, The Marion Salute and The Southern Sentinel. A Mississippi journalist and writer based in Ripley, he received second place in poetry in the 2025 William Faulkner Literary Competition for "The Garden."