Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

TJ Smith was a true brother and a great Deputy. He was a brother in my masonic lodge and I was an Inspector for several small cities in western Tarrant County and TJ was always there to back me up, sometimes before I knew I would need it. I never asked him, but I figured he heard me over the radio and then always appeared as if from thin air. It was awesome to have TJ show up. I also sadly remember when the SO's office called me to tell me he had just been killed and asked if would I help inform the family. God bless TJ may he Rest in Peace.

Inspector (ret.), Cliff Schaefer
Azle, Lakeside, Lake Worth, and Newark Texas

September 4, 2024

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

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

September 17, 2020

In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day. The Azle Police Department will be honoring Lt. George Hendrix on Tuesday, May 15, at 10 A.M. at Central Park, on Main Street in Azle, Texas. We welcome the public to attend.
Please join us in Honoring Lt. George Hendrix and all our Fallen Officers.

Elsie Ann Plaunty Adminstrative Assistan
AZLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 10, 2018

Investigator Smith,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your Partner for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Tarrant County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 17, 2017

T.J. was one of the finest deputies that I ever had the pleasure working with. I recently visited the memorial in Washington DC and reflected on many good memories working with T.J.

Cpl Brad Murphey
TCU Police Department

July 18, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 25th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

September 16, 2009

I trained smitty when he came out of the air force.A very good officer and friend.

det/sgt donald pendry
river oaks pd

June 19, 2009

"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

February 25, 2008

Thank you for your service and dedication. May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

November 21, 2007

Your still remembered!

Officer Thomas Wiederhold #1890
Fort Worth Police,Tx

February 15, 2006

TJ, we miss you man!!!!! Rest in Peace

TCSO Deputy's Wife
TCSO

December 2, 2005

OH, How I miss "sugar will you transfer me to a number". I had just started with this dept a few months before this incident. There was never a day that went by I didn't get that faithful phone call. I still miss those calls to this day. You are forever in our hearts! Rest in peace!

Police Officer
Tarrant County Sheriff's Dept

February 2, 2005

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

Rest in peace.

December 29, 2004

T.J.Smith was my background investigator when I first
applied with the Sheriff's Dept. in the summer of 1996- T.J.
told me then, that he considered that function more
important than his other duties as a criminal investigator.
And, with T.J. no detail in my personal history statement
was too small-he had a tremendous attention for detail-And I
believe its paid off-A week doesn't go by that I don't think
about him,and the faith that he invested in me, and many
others.

Deputy Sheriff Lance R.
Tarrant County Sheriff's Department