Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I worked for Lt. Smith while in the walking patrol. Lt. Smith was a man’s man. Was one of the best survivors I ever worked for. He was a gentle soul and someone I looked up to. Was my honor to stand honor guard at his funeral. Surely missed by all.

Sergeant William C. Smith
MNPD

June 20, 2024

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

May 14, 2021

The 40th Anniversary of Lt. John Wesley Smith III line of duty death.

Lt. Smith was a second-generation Nashville Police Officer. In 1948 his father was one of the first black officers to join the force.

His son, Sgt. Gary Smith, join the police dept. in 1996, becoming a third-generation Nashville Police Officer. Another son, John Wesley Smith IV, has worked for the Davidson County Sheriff’s Dept for several decades. A nephew, Sgt Jimmy Smith, also serves with MNPD.

“Big John” was 39 years old and a 17 year veteran of the department.

Lt. Smith was one of the most well-thought-of officers in the department’s history. Black officers called Lt. Smith “The Godfather.”

“Lest We Forget”

Retired Sgt Vernon Teague
MNPD

May 15, 2020

Lt. Smith,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Nashville. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 14, 2020

Rest in peace Lt Smith.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2020

LT. John Smith, III was as fine a man as I everget knew. I am retired officer Bill Fleming and I was a traffic officer then and I had to work that wreck. It was AWFULL and I can still remember it!

Retired. Officer, William Fleming
Metro Nashville Police Dept

June 8, 2018

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 14, 2015

You are greatly missed by both Gary (son) and Jimmy (nephew), both who are Sergeants now and both that I have served with. I've heard a lot of stories of "Big "John" Smith from those that knew you.. I'm sorry I never got to meet you in person. You would be so proud of Gary, he is a good friend and leader. Rest easy brother in blue.

Sgt. Geoff Odom
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

July 19, 2014

You gave the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Nashville. We thank & honor you on this day. Your Memorial Page has been posted on several Metro/Nashville Police Dept.'s Social Media sites. You Are Not Forgotten.

Retired Sgt. Vernon Teague
Metro/Nashville P.D.

May 14, 2014

Sir I did not know you but your son is a Sgt whom I respect and admire. You would be proud of him, he is one you can talk to about anything and is a good leader. There is no doubt in my mind he will be a Lt. soon just like you!!

P.O. II
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

March 13, 2014

To my dad, I love you and miss you every day of my life.

SGT. Gary Smith
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

May 7, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 15, 2012

Lt. Smith,
On today, the 32nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Nashville. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 14, 2012

John Smith is my inspiration in becoming a Law Enforcement Officer. I started with the Nashville 911 Explores and continued with 30 years in the Army Criminal Investigations command. I continue my service in his name with Homeland Security Investigations. He is always with me every day I work. The day will come where I will see "Big John" again until then bless him his family and all of the men and women of Nashville Metropolitan Police Department where I got my start.

Alfred Birdsong US Army Ret SGM
Homeland Security Investigations "cousin"

October 10, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-ninth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 14, 2009

TRYING TO HELP A FELLOW OFFICER RIGHT DOWN TO THE END. WE CAN ONLY KNOW AND APPRECIATE WHAT THAT MEANS. MAY LT REST IN PEACE AND MAY HIS SACRIFICE NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

INV HAROLD HUTCHISON (RETIRED)
HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA POLICE DEPT

May 14, 2009

Lt. Smith your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

May 23, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 30, 2008

Rest in peace, Sir. You are not forgotten......

Officer
Tennessee

January 10, 2006

I will miss my cousin always, the department was so willing and able to help and accept any grievances for our family it will never be able to be explained. We really appreciated everything!

Family
Metro

August 20, 2005

~~~The Final Goodbye~~~

It's been a while since you've been gone,
Guess I always hoped, deep inside,
that the facts weren’t true and someone lied, and instead of goodbye,
I would be saying hello to you.

Now my life carries on without you,
though I can't say that is so,
because each and every day
you fill my thoughts and dreams
and most things I do lately,
involve you it seems,
So how can it be that this is goodbye?
There are so many things we have to share,

So many plans to be made,
I turn to call you, I want to know you are home, but you're not there, you've already gone.
I’m not ready to say goodbye.

Some say that it's time to move on,
I know they are not wrong.
I move on, but I take you along.
I'm not ready yet,
to say goodbye.

It's been so hard to say goodbye,
and every time I try, I cry.
I just cant bring myself to believe,
that this is the final goodbye.

January 5, 2005

Lt. Smith, better known as "Big John", was one of the nicest, most caring men I ever knew on this department. He was a "policeman's policeman". I saw him exhibit in many ways that he was willing to anything for any one, especially another officer. It wasn't just a coincidence that he was killed enroute to help another officer. I miss him. God bless you, "Big John".

Sergeant Jeff Grimes
Metro Nashville PD

August 24, 2003

The loss has been years ago however no less tragic or sorrowfull. My deepest condolences to the family and friends and co-workers of Lt. John Wesley. (7/5/03).

Senior Trooper Keith Miller
Oregon State Police