The West Virginia State Police superintendent is retiring after spending nearly six years as head of the agency.
Col. C.R. "Jay" Smithers is retiring Friday, according to a news release from the State Police. He was appointed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in March 2011.
Smithers was a member of the West Virginia State Police from 1973 until his retirement in 1998. During that time, he obtained the rank of captain and served as a member of the senior staff.
After he retired, he organized the West Virginia Division of Protective Services - Capitol Police. He eventually was appointed as director of the agency.
Smithers had 38 years of law enforcement experience prior to his appointment as superintendent.
A graduate of Sissonville High, Smithers earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from West Virginia State University and a master's degree in occupational safety from Marshall University.
Smithers also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the U.S. Army Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School.