Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace sir and always know that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.

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

August 24, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Smith.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 11, 2019

Franklin Smith was my fathers father. My dad was Clifford Franklin Marion Smith and he died in 1974. I remember hearing my grandmother, my parents and maybe Aunt Helen talk about the accident and death. My dad did not remember his dad due to his age at the time of death ( 3 years old and his birthday was August 24th). I had never seen a picture of my grandfather and am glad to be able to see it here. I have talked many times about going see the memorial for police officers but have not made it but will try to now.

Marguerite Negele
grand-daughter

June 18, 2017

I recall seeing Franklin's Smith’s name etched into the walls at the entrance to Police Headquarters at 1300 Beaubien St. near the elevators along with all of the others who had made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in the service of their fellow man.
Franklin Smith was my mother's, Dorothy A. (Durkee) Nyikes of Monroe Michigan, Uncle. His only surviving daughter Helen Veraci lived to see me graduate from the Detroit Police Academy Class 72-J on August 24 1972. Helen continued to draw her father’s small pension from the City of Detroit until she passed away.
Upon graduating from the academy I was assigned to the 13th Pct. and worked as a uniform patrol officer until July 2, 1980 and upon resigning took a position as a police officer with the City of Union City CA. retiring in 2001 with the rank of Detective.

Detective
Union City PD (Ret.)

June 20, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 98th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was murdered on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

August 25, 2009

Fire is what brought my father's parents to settle in Detroit. In March of the same year, my grandmother was working on the ninth floor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, now the administrative building of New York University, when fire broke out on the floor below. She survived while 147 women and men did not. I can only imagine her reading of your fate.

It's quite possible you lived near where my family settled and where my grandparents began raising the first of their six children. It's quite possible our families crossed paths. My own father would be born six years later and help America reach the moon. I will remember you now, as I strive to remember all members of DPD who sacrificed their lives in the protection of my family and the other citizens of the great City of Detroit.

Jim Grant, Son of David Grant,

August 6, 2009

Rest in peace Brother, May God Bless you and your family.

Patrolman

July 19, 2006

From the 1910 U.S. Census: Franklin M. Smith was a native born Detroiter. By 1911 he had been married to his English-born wife, Lillian, for six years. Their children were Helen, 5; Hollis, 4; and Clifford W., 2. The family home was at 261 Cottage Grove in Detroit. He lists his occupation as "Patrolman, City Police".
He is not forgotten.

Sgt. Ray Downing, Retired
Detroit PD

January 11, 2005