Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My dear Mary and he family,
It took me a while to be able to talk to you. This hit me hard. On numerous occassions, I had your back and you had mine. I got there a few minutes too late the other day. I'm sorry.
People who don't know will always wonder about "the soup". Do you mind if I explain...?
Mary always made soup for the precinct when something was going on. Just a few hours before she was taken away, she brought soup and cornbread to West Precinct because we had just buried a friend and our Sergeant, Joe Hill, and she wanted to be with us. I was at the precinct finishing some reports and Mary insisted I have some. Of course I did and told her how good it was. She said it was because it was "made with loooooove!" And it was....I thanked her and hugged her, small talk about missing each other, last time we ever got to talk..shoulda hugged her harder...
To her daughter, Ra Sheka, and her special friend, Tammy, we be there en masse when the diploma is handed out. We will all be whooping and clapping in Mary's stead. This was SO important to her! That makes it important to us..
Just know, for whatever it's worth, our loss is in some measure as great as yours and we are here for you from now on.
Now, Mary, watch over us and know how hard you were loved. Enjoy those wings, you earned them! We will NEVER forget...
Rick Christian
West Precinct
Birmingham Police Department

Officer Rick Christian
Birmingham Police Department, West Precinct

November 4, 2006

I am deeply saddened at the passing of Officer Mary Smith. May God continue to strengthen her family in this time of sorrow. RaSheka, I hope you read this. Go on and finish school and make your Mom proud. You've always had BPD as your extended family. Nothing's changed. We're just holding you and Tammy even closer now. I'm praying for you.

Officer L. Roby
Birmingham P D North Precinct

November 3, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Fairfield Police Department.

Fallen but never forgotten.

Officer B. Laurie
Haltom City Police Tx

November 3, 2006

Deputy Smith
May you rest in peace, girlfriend you will never be forgotten.
Lieutenant V. Lafayette
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Watch Commander.

Lieutenant Victoria Lafayette
Lee County Sheriff's Office

November 2, 2006

God Bless the family and friends of Officer Mary Smith. I know the pain you all are facing because I recently lost my nephew Cpl. Chuck Smith in the line of duty. I can't say it gets easier in time but the memories of good times will be easier to talk about. You and all of your family are in my prayers. Thank you. Lisa Smith

November 2, 2006

To the Family and Friends,

My hearts go out to you all, as you struggle with the loss of a wonderful woman. I know all to well what you all must be feeling right now, as I lost my brother 8 months ago...a police officer killed in the line of duty. Just like my brother and all Peace Officers that have died, Police Officer Mary Smith's memory will live on forever. We will remember what she died doing....protecting your community. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

God Bless,
Jonika

Jonika Winkler
Sister of Det. Jared Jensen EOW 2/22/06

November 2, 2006

God bless you and keep you always.

DE
St. Louis City Police

November 1, 2006

Godspeed Officer Smith. Your life and loss will never be forgotten. May God watch over your family, friends, and co-workers during this dark time.

Detective D. Thompson
Colorado Springs Police Department

November 1, 2006

Ms. Mary I was traveling and heard what happened last week. I look at your picture now and can see what an outstanding person you were and by the tributes left here on your page. Thank you Ms. Mary for your sacriface. I know why you were in the job and I understand the dedication. I pray for your daughter she will stay in my prayers. May God and all his angels watch over you and your daughter.

Mother of fallen officer Cole Martin 4/25/03

October 31, 2006

If you ever met Mary, then you knew why so many people loved and adored her. She never met a stranger and always had a smile on her face. When I was contemplating on retiring from the B'ham P. D., I had talked with Chief Mardis at Fairfield. He said that he could really use a female officer, because they did not have one at that time. I saw Mary a few days later and knowing that Chief Mardis had talked to her, but she was straddling the fence, I asked her to come to Fairfield. I told her that I would truly like to work with her. As you know she did and now she is gone. I know that God has a plan for all of us, but I wish that I had not seen Mary that day and asked her to come to Fairfield. Mary, we all miss you and hopefully we will see you again.

Officer Lynn Nixon
Fairfield P.D. (Ret. B'ham, AL Officer)

October 31, 2006

May God watch over your family and friends during this tragic time. May He also guide your spirit in the right direction. You are in our thoughts and prayers, rest in peace!

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

October 31, 2006

Mary, you gave true meaning to the term "COP" - Community Oriented Policing. I can remember when you were just out of Rookie School and I was still working the western area for the ambulance service. It seemed every call I went on you were there with a smile and a helping hand. Then, I was fortunate enough to have you as "my" beat officer. I knew things were safe when you were around. My prayers to Rasheka and your family to stay strong as we will all see you again one day. Continue to protect us from above.

Sarah Tudisco
Dispatcher, Pelham Police Department

October 31, 2006

To the family and friends of Officer Smith, even though I never had the fortunate opportunity to meet Mary I see that she was a very special lady and dedicated officer and mother. I pray that everyone who knew her personal stay strong and keep her in your prayers. Mary is indeed watching over the rest of us as we patrol these streets of hell. God bless Mary and her family.

Lieutenant Carolyn Harris
Greene County Sheriff's Office

October 31, 2006

A woman has many roles to play and several hats to wear, often times all at once. Officer Smith seemed to take the leadership position and that is a difficult task to accomplish in the world that we live in. Being a single mother and city officer she charged herself with going above and beyond the call of duty. I am a young woman that graduated from college last year from fairfield, and I couldn't sleep well knowing that innocent people like Ms. Smith had been taken away from the earth, her family, friends, and what she loved to do. It has been my prayers and belief that God is always in control even when we dont understand the purpose or reasoning. To the daughter please search to God for understanding and peace through your loss. Your mother was a wonderful woman and great leader. I saw on t.v. that you were sitting next to my line sister -so ur in great company. hang in there and by encouraged.

A concerned citizen

October 31, 2006

I graduated with Rasheka and I would remember seeing Ms.Mary in her little red saab convertible visiting the school or picking Rasheka up and she was always so pleasant! You really don't know what to say during times like this but try and reflect on all the good memories and my thoughts and prayers our with you and your family

Nikia Nichols
friend/citizen

October 30, 2006

Though I never knew her, she was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace through such incidents & our comfort is that He will judge the guilty without fail and without end.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

October 30, 2006

Mary truly was a special woman and mother, she came to us with her daughter and put her in our care. I am speaking for all of us here at the club, thank you Mary for being apart of us. Rasheka, we love you, stay strong and remember who you are. God's peace and blessings are with you

L.A.M. Shabazz
A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club, Inc

October 30, 2006

We are so very sorry for your loss. We are a part of a family and bond that we will always share. Our prayer and concern will always be with you. My son Julian lost his father in the line-0f-duty in 2003 in Fayette, AL. If you ever need us we are just an email away. Even through we have never met you, we love you, and know you will always be a part of us. May God bless you each day. Keep your Mother's memory alive.
Martha West-Crump
Julian Crump

Martha & Julian Crump Concern of Police

October 30, 2006

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Smith.

While no one who wears a badge wants to be put into such a situation, you put yourself into the line of fire to protect those whom you might not have even known despite the danger. While I did not have the privilege to have known you personally, I am certain that you have found a place in heaven.

Rest in peace my friend; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line

Officer Ryan McNeil
Medicine Lodge, KS Police Department

October 30, 2006

My prayers are with Ms. Smith's family. She was very sweet and seemed to be very dedicated to her job. As this website states about her, she truly made the ultimate sacrifice. May GOD be with the family, friends, and all of the people she touched during her brief time here on this earth.GOD bless.

D'Antoniece
citizen of the west end community

October 29, 2006

RIP sister we have your watch. May God be with your family, friends, and co workers.

Police Officer Brian Koehn
Archie Mo Police Dept.

October 29, 2006

To a good friend and neighbor you will be missed. may god bless and keep you this is my prayer.

police officer Sidonald Wiley
Birmingham police department

October 29, 2006

May God be with you and your family during this trying time. Always know that the Lord will never put more on you than you can bare. Weeping may endure for a night but joy will come in the morning. As you weep, your joy will come from knowing that your love one is in heaven sitting on the right hand of the savior. You and your family are in my prayers both day and night.
Respectfully,
QM1 Chiquita Terry
Virginia Beach, Va (native of Bessemer)

QM1 (SW) CHIQUITA TERRY
UNITED STATES NAVY

October 29, 2006

May God be with you and your family during this trying time. Always know that the Lord will never put more on you than you can bare. Weeping may endure for a night but joy will come in the morning. As you weep, your joy will come from knowing that your love one is in heaven sitting on the right hand of the savior. You and your family are in my prayers both day and night.
Respectfully,
QM1 Chiquita Terry
Virginia Beach, Va (native of Bessemer)

QM1 (SW) CHIQUITA TERRY
UNITED STATES NAVY

October 29, 2006

Mary, I attended the services held for you - it is evident that you made a lasting impact on co-workers, friends, family and the public you came in contact with. All those that knew you are stronger because of your life. God bless your family, Fairfield PD, and Birmingham PD.

Among us, sent down from heaven,
Are those that walk a thin blue line, that's a given.
Like guardian angels to watch over me and you,
Are those that wear the uniform of blue.
We only see them as traffic stops,
We do not call them friends, only cops.
We pray we never have a chance meeting,
We never pass along a greeting.
But they are so much more than this,
They simply do not see the world as bliss.
But they look into the corners of our darkest fear,
They walk a beat, they dry a tear.
They bring a message to our home,
When all is not well, and we are alone.
They come to us, no matter the need,
Handle the problem, complete the deed.
They lay their personal feelings aside,
They do their job, thay have great pride.
And if one should fall among life's things,
The badge they wear, TURNS INTO WINGS.

POF P.M. Norcross
Montgomery Police Department - Montgomery, AL

October 29, 2006