Officials with The City of Rockwood are mourning the sudden loss of their City Judge James Smith this past Saturday afternoon. Smith was found unresponsive in his yard at his mountain top home around 5:30 pm. Sheriff’s deputies, First responders, and an ambulance were all sent to Mt. Roosevelt off Highway 70 where Smith lived after a family member found him and called for help.
Smith had been recently appointed and sworn in as City judge for his second year last November when a newly elected council and mayor were sworn in. Smith was an attorney in Roane County where he has had a practice for some 40 plus years. He, according to Mayor Mike Miller, was an outstanding Judge for the city, and he, along with City leaders, want to send their deepest condolences. We will pass along funeral arrangements as we get them.