Laurel schools police chief fired after DUI charge

The chief of the police of Laurel County Public Schools is no longer employed by the district after being arrested for driving under the influence, the district said.

The district said it was notified by the London Police Department Friday that Chief Dan Smoot had been charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence.

Smoot was not on duty at the time of his arrest.

“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority, and we are committed to upholding the trust of our parents and community,” the district said in a statement posted on its website. “Laurel County Public Schools will continue to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for all students, ensuring our teachers and staff serve as positive role models.”

A London police officer said in a uniform citation filed in Laurel District Court that Smoot, 65, “had bloodshot glassy eyes and slurred speech” and was “unsteady on his feet while standing and walking” during a traffic stop at 7:28 p.m. Friday.

After being taken to the police department, Smoot was given an intoxilyzer test, which showed results of 0.247, the citation states. Intoxilyzers estimate blood alcohol concentration. The legal limit is 0.08%.

In a confusing twist, police released a second, separate citation that said Smoot was never in a vehicle at all.

Instead, the responding officer wrote police were called to the Hampton Inn on Alamo Drive to conduct a welfare check, according to the second citation.

Officers found Smoot in the hallway of the hotel, according to the citation, and appeared to be experiencing a “medical issue.” Smoot refused treatment from emergency responders, according to the citation.

“The information from the previous arrest citation regarding the statement of (Smoot) being in a motor vehicle from the previous complaint was incorrect,” the citation reads. “The above was never observed by officers in a motor vehicle.”

Smoot was taken to the Laurel County Correctional Center but was not listed on the jail’s inmate roster as of Saturday afternoon.

He is scheduled for arraignment at 11 a.m. Monday.

This story was originally published July 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM.