Meet Alphonso
A Sheriff Who Puts People First.
Growing up under the shade of mossy oaks in the small town of Estill, South Carolina, Alphonso learned the values of community service, integrity, and hard work. Tragedy struck the family in 1985, when his uncle, Trooper First Class, Bruce Kenneth Smalls, was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop along I-95 in Jasper County. His heroic service and sacrifice was the inspiration for Alphonso and his cousin Kevin, as well as many other members of the family pursue careers in law enforcement. They understand deeply what it means to be entrusted with a badge, and the responsibility that comes with it. In this family, community service isn’t just a job - it’s a family legacy.
Alphonso now lives in Bluffton with his wife April and enjoys spending time with his five children and seven grandchildren. When he is not working or serving on the School Board, you can find Alphonso riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle through the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry and cooking for his large family and community.
My Approach as Sheriff
Day One Priorities
Leadership is not about power of position, it's about responsibility, teamwork, and creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported. On day one I will meet the staff, listen to their concerns, and establish clear communication. I’m going to bring new energy, independent leadership, and community-focused service. That is built from the inside out.
Repairing Community Trust
We must bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement. I view this as one of the biggest challenges faced by BCSO right now, and we can see it in the numbers of crimes that go unsolved in Beaufort County. The community we serve has lost the trust of our officers. I am committed to earning it back.
Supporting Our Officers
I know first-hand that the best deputies are recruited to work for higher pay and better resources. My strategy to improve recruitment and retention is to increase pay, improve training, and offer mental health support. In my work on the School Board, I fought for higher pay and better training for our teachers, and I will fight just as hard for our deputies.
On 287(g) Agreements
Repairing community trust is one of my top priorities. I do not support policies that weaken the relationship between law enforcement and the communities we serve. In my view, that is the primary concern with the current “task force” model 287(g) Agreement in Beaufort County. This program erodes trust and cooperation between law enforcement and immigrant communities, and also diverts resources from our other priorities. I am committed to working together with stakeholders from across the county - business owners, immigration rights advocates, local leaders, and multi-level law enforcement agencies to implement an immigration policy that best serves Beaufort County.
"Real safety comes from real relationships. That's my mission for Beaufort County."
- Alphonso Small