Sheriff Glenn Smith suffered a heart attack at a hospital in Bellville on Saturday.
"He cared greatly for the people of Waller County, and he will be greatly missed. It's a very sad day for Waller County. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family," Duhon said.
Smith was with the Waller County Sheriff's Department for nearly 12 years, and he was in his third term as a sheriff.
Sources say Canon Funeral Home in Waller will be handling Smith's service.