Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

thank you for your sacrifice sir. We will never forget you.

Gillock
friend to LE

April 29, 2008

LASD SEB and LAPD SWAT are revered by so many. I have had the good fortune to have worked with / trained with so many from both. No fellow Los Angeles County law enforcement personnel killed in the line-of-duty, should be forgotten.

Sergeant Smith, may Your Soul Rest-In-Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

April 16, 2008

I would just like to tell you what a great Father to me you were you are deeply mised in my life every day!Not one day goes by with out me thinking about you. And the times we had. God has his reasons for this I know but I will always rember you as the best of the best of fathers I love you Dad.

son of larrell
father

April 16, 2008

You are missed every day I wish I had more time with you but god takes the good first forever missed your son.

Matthew k smith
son

September 18, 2007

"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

September 12, 2007

The show that featured Larrell's story and his brother was Discovey's LA S.W.A.T. special.

Citizen
Fan of Cops Shows

July 20, 2007

Sir,

I realize that it has been a while since you were taken. For those that were lucky to have known you, you are dearly missed everyday. I do not think we ever realize how much of an effect we have on others, until we are gone. I am grateful and blessed to have learned a little about you through your family and friends. Each and every one of them remarked on your ability to lead with an amazing sense of quiet professionalism and humor. Your dedication to duty and family reverberates today. Your legacy will never die, but will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all that knew you. You will never be forgotten. Thank you

LASD Recruit

June 22, 2007

Larrel, I was privileged to know you during both of your tours of duty at Industry. You were an inspiration to many new and seasoned deputies. We'll all meet for an eternal debriefing some day. Until we do - Vaya con Dios.

Deputy IV, John Strom
L.A.S.D. Industry

February 27, 2007

God bless sarge, we will not forget you...

Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

January 24, 2007

Dear Sgt. Smith: I salute you on this, the 23rd anniversary of when you were taken from your loved ones. I pray you are enjoying some rest with God and that you look down at all the uniforms here and realize that your job is clearly to help keep them safe as they patol in your absence.

Keep them safe, blue angel (though you wore green and tan down here) You and yours are loved appreciated and remembered.

Love,

LoVae Pray Martines, Law Enf. Liaison
MADD-San Bernardino County Chapter

April 16, 2006

Sgt. Larrell Smith was known to me as just Larrell, who I met and worked with from 1969 to 1971, during his first tour at SEB, which later came to be known as SWAT. We were both deputies at that time and enjoyed many "capers" together. He did not get to enjoy retirement, but I know that he is at a better place with his keeper. He will never be forgotten by those of us who knew him. May he forever rest in peace, and it is my hope that I will one day join him again. Take care my friend.

Ron Wisberger
LASD Retired

Deputy Sheriff Ron Wisberger, Retired
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

November 29, 2005

I was working with Camp Pendleton SRS (SWAT) when I was fortunate enough to be sent to S.E.B. basic SWAT school and met many of your fellow team members, all of whom spoke highly of you. Your loss was a definate tragedy to the teams. The guys on the blue team all spoke highly of you. Though I am no longer in the Corps, I still keep in touch with some of the guys that are still with the unit. Often when I teach, and reflect on some of the lessons that were learned from you that had been passed down. Many don't know that at the time you were lost, your brother was also a member of the teams, and has now gone to work narco. My thoughts and prayers go out to you though your passing has been some time, you still are looked upon for guidance. May god be with your family and friends.

Patrolman T. D. Phelan
La Porte Police Dept., La Porte, Texas

December 13, 2004

Larrell worked at Industry Station as a deputy and again as a sergeant. He was one of the few who was able to promote and remain, he was that well liked and respected. No one ever had a bad word to say about Larrell. He was a true leader and role model in every sense of the word.

We "old-timers" on the Department know that Larrell is a legend. Some of us truly believe that his ghost still remains at the station and sometimes in the wee small hours of the morning, he's been known to walk the halls and give a trainee a scare or two in the briefing room.

Larrell, I'll always remember you fondly as a friend and with great respect as one of the truly finest deputy sheriffs I have known.

May you continue to rest in peace.

An Old Friend
Industry Station, LASD

July 29, 2004

Larry was a kind and gentle man, who often made people laugh. He was so admired by my two sons, and he made them laugh. I worked at Industry Station and when he heard that I had only one male to help me move, he kindly jumped right in to help me move to my new apt., after he had already worked a double shift. One evening I was visiting SEB to see my X-husband for some paperwork, and Larry gave me encouragement, telling me that everything was going to work out OK and he then gave my two sons a dollar each and told them to take care of their Mom. When he was shot, we felt genuine grief for his wife and children.

Anonymous

February 28, 2004

I was a new trainee in patrol (Industry Station) when I first met Sgt. Smith. He was a young supervisor whom everyone looked up to and liked. When I finished training and began to get to know everyone, I was immediately drawn to Larrell because he was a good cop, but more than that, he was a very good man. A great role model. When he left patrol for SEB we were happy for him and his accomplishments.

For me and my peers it was a crushing blow to lose Larrell to such a tragic death. We missed him very much, and many of us talk about him to this day. One hundred and twenty of us enjoyed reunion brunch just last month (Jan 2004) and we looked at his photographs once again and remembered the joy he brought to us.

May God keep you safe in his arms until we meet again.

Lt. Larry T. Anderson
LASD - Retired

February 26, 2004

I don't know you but I saw an hour long TV program about your SWAT team that you belonged too with the LA Sheriff's office. I to am a SWAT team member and know the commen bond you share with other members. They told of your tragic and senceless death, so I wanted to pay your site a visit but found that no one had told the world about your passing and how we lost another Hero. so I informed odmp. about it and now everyone that visits will know what a Hero you are. God bless you my friend and thank you for doing the Job. Pap.

Police Officer Tim Pappas
Cincinnati Police/SWAT