Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today we celebrate yet another birthday and milestone
in our family. Today, on July 14 th, we BOW to the
new patriarch of the family, the old man himself...
The 2nd generation name holder picked out
originally by our Grandfather, Caleb Embree Smith.
Rick, we BOW in honor of your status in the family
and hope that you will continue for many years
to exhibit what we have come to know as
truly "Smith" genes... LOL
Our Grandfather Embree & Dad have got to be
chuckling over the passing of the torch.
Happy Birthday!
:::BOW:::

Kathleen
Granddaughter

July 14, 2009

Another candy box gem-
The occasion is the birth of his first born son,
Richard Embree Smith.

A post card written by Embree
to his sister, Mrs. Ted Anderson
in Springfield, Ohio.
Post marked Flint, Mich
Jun 21,1916, (1 Cent Postage)

Dear Sister & Brother,
Margeruite has a fine 11 lb. boy.
Born 10 min to 12 Jun 19th.
Both are doing dandy.
Your letter came yesterday
and was glad to hear from you.
Margeruite sends Ted her regards.
Hope you are feeling better by the time you
get this. Embree & Margeruite

Kathleen
Granddaughter

July 11, 2009

Happy Birthday Grandpa!
Embree was born on June 22, 1893.

Kathleen
Granddaughter

June 21, 2009

A Father Remembered...
Caleb "Embree" Smith became a Father on June 19, 1916
with the birth of his first son, Richard Embree Smith.
His son's memories lasted a lifetime~

Father's Day each year for us is enriched knowing
it falls often on their birthdays.

Kathleen
Granddaughter

June 21, 2009

Christmas is around the corner and everything
is a buzz with getting ready...

Our tree symbolizes so many people in the family.
I found ornaments made by children that are now
50 years old or better... I found keepsake ornaments
that use to be on trees put up by generations long past.

It's funny how different things come to symbolize the
love and adoration you have for different people in
the family. The stories...
OMG, the stories have you rolling in laughter
or dealing with "sinus issues."

Our tree has a very patriotic, 30's style pewter
Christmas ornament with a tassel hanger with Embree's
service picture inside. About the size of a wallet photo,
It always draws some attention...
Opening a teaching moment to those young enough
not to know who this man was~

A red cardinal symbolizes one of Embree's sons who
loved the big band dance area and swing.
My Dad had the misfortune of wearing a white suit
with a cardinal red shirt back in the 1970's in a picture...
OMG, we still laugh! It invokes the laughter and fun
we always experienced with my Dad.

My mother, short & petite was described by my Dad
as "Mighty Mouse." So yes, somewhere on the tree there
is a Mighty Mouse ornament. Someone always ends up
knowing the theme song to the cartoon, LOL

Our tree each year is loaded with memories and stories
waiting to be shared and added to~

Embree remains a part of many good family memories
remembered and preserved. May your Christmas Tree
symbolize as much love & laughter, Merry Christmas.

Kathleen Smith
Granddaughter

December 18, 2008

I held a picture today that brought back a memory
shared with my Grandmother. Many years ago I recalled
my Grandmother looking through pictures she kept
in an old candy box. Seeing the interest I had
in who the people were, we laughed and laughed
over some of the hi-jinks captured so long ago.

It was one of the first times I understood the family tree.
Her stories showed me all the connections.

Each snapshot held a story. One that caught my attention
was my Grandmother up to her neck in water with my
Grandfather, Embree. He was almost as deep in the water,
supporting her... Keeping her afloat. I've never known my
Grandmother to swim in any pool, or stick her feet in open water.
She had a life long fear of water and could not swim.

She told me this was the only time in her life she allowed
someone to coax her in the water. She told me how Embree
made her feel safe enough she actually stretched out
across his arms. Their picture was taken in a moment
she felt no fear or panic. A moment of complete trust~

Memories like these have always kept Embree's life
warm in our hearts. I now have that old candy box of
pictures that once belonged to my Grandmother.

Looking through it seemed appropriate tonight.

Kathleen Smith
Granddaughter

October 27, 2008

all gave some , some gave all .............

love your great great grandson richard embree smith 3rd

P.O.3 richard embree smith 3rd
great great grandson

June 17, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

March 16, 2008

Agent Zach Perron, Thank you for sharing my
Grandfather's story. I think you will find it
interesting to know that both Caleb Embree Smith's
sons became police officers on the Oakland Police Department in California after WW11.
Jack William Smith and Richard Embree Smith.

Jack passed away in 1960.

Richard retired OPD after 26 years.
He became a Lapeer County Sherrif in Michigan
lecturing about drug abuse/gang activity in
schools for another 7 years before retiring
to Florida. Richard passed away in 2001.

Both were dedicated servants who loved their
careers in Law Enforcement.

Kathleen
Granddaughter

January 1, 2008

Thank you all for your wonderful thoughts and comments
regarding my Grandfather. On October 26th,2007, only a
couple hours away from midnight... And another year of
remembrance of our loss, we were blessed with the birth
of my brother's first grandchild :) This anniversary date of Embree's passing is now padded on both sides with the births of his Great, and Great Granchildren :)
He would be so proud~

Kathleen Smith
Granddaughter

October 31, 2007

On the 86th anniversary of Detective Sergeant Smith's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Detective Sergeant Smith is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

October 27, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 26, 2007

As growing up in Flint and always wanting to be in law enforcement this story was very touching. God Bless you all!

Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,
who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises
of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional
eyes on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for
investigation and wise judgement.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and
law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores,
strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences
with the devil that the police officer's lot on earth is not
always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so
pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the
devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your
heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the
throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all
the people. Amen.

Off. Diem
United States Coast Guard

November 1, 2006

Ms. Smith,

Thank you for your detailed insight into the life of Sgt. Smith. It was very moving, as well as, enlightening.

Sgt. J.J.
Detroit PD

October 31, 2006

Det. Sgt. Smith,
It has taken over 85 years, but you are finally being honored. I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Flint.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

October 29, 2006

October 27, 2006

Eighty-five years to the day of your passing
and it still envokes tears of loss. A husband,
father, a son, and friend to many. A man of
such distinction and dedication to his job that
the citizens he protected and served in Flint
came out in mass to make his funeral one of the
largest to date in 1921. Our grandfather is heavy
in our family's thoughts and prayers tonight.

Kathleen Smith
Granddaughter

October 27, 2006

Detective Smith,

What a beautiful tribute left by your granddaughter Kathleen. Your legacy lives on through your children, grandchildren and perhaps Great grandchildren.

I SALUTE you Sir on this, the 85th anniversary of your intimely passing. God be with your family as they remember you and cherish their memories.

Rest in Peace

Friend of Mark Sawyers EOW 6-5-04
Sterling Heights PD Dispatch

October 27, 2006

I'm riding on a wave of emotion. There is so much family
has reflected on over the years about "Embree,"
my Grandfather.

Eighty- five years have passed. In those years I have
seen my grandmother keep a worn and faded picture of
Embree on her dresser in uniform. From a few worn
pictures she kept in an old candy box, she told
stories of how life had been and how she first
met Embree and how his mother taught her how to bake.
She recalled the passing just a few years before Embree
of his older sister Agnes. She and my father told how
her presence was felt in the house she died in for
years after~

Moving on after his death was difficult for the family.
Embree's father tried for years to get his case solved.
My grandmother was considered a woman without means,
so both of their children where put in Embree's parents
care. Pictures document their visitations together.
They were 2 1/2 and 5 years old at the time Embree died.
Both boys remained very close to their mother throughout
their lives.

As each boy grew old enough, they entered the Navy.
Both graduated through Great Lakes Navel Training Station.
At times they had served on the same ship.
On December 7, 1941, both were at Pearl Harbor.
Richard Embree Smith, Embree's eldest son was on the
U.S.S. Tennessee. Embree's youngest son was on the
U.S.S. California. They both survived. That day has been
recalled as powerfully as the night Embree died by my
father, Richard Embree Smith.

As a five year old boy, my father recalled his father
coming home the night he died. He had snuck out of bed
hoping to see him. He remembers seeing his mom
cleaning the floor. Embree had thrown up several times.
He was ushered back to bed, but got up again as his mom
was in a panic and trying to get help from the big house.
He remembers the bedroom door and how he was watching
on his belly underneath, the shoes move about and the talking of removing his father by people he didn't know.
When they left the room he recalled with all the body language and emotion he felt that night. He described how he tried to wake up his father. How he sat on his chest and shook him to wake him.... Crying and screaming for him to wake up.

The services that followed for Embree were described as
one of the largest seen in the City of Flint up to that time. The big house on South Sagniaw was over filled with mourners and flowers. The newspapers were a constant about his death and investigation. The horse drawn carriage route to Avondale Cemetery was lined with people. Many had their heads bowed, hats in hand out of respect.

Aside from his wife Margurite and two young sons,
Embree was survived by his parents- James E. Smith
and Viola Petitt-Smith, a younger brother,
George D. Smith and sister in law Olive Brandt-Smith.
There was also two sisters of his father's,
Mary Baker of Kalamazoo,and Flora R. Smith-Davis,
a Uncle on his mother's side, Andrew Petitt
and his wife Cora Farrell Petitt and cousins.
Embree's family on his mother's side came
originally from New York and settled in Genesee
County in 1855. Embree's Grandfather on his mother's
side served in the Civil War.
He signed up in Thetford Twp, he was Myron Petitt.
His Grandfather owned the first Grist Mill in Flint.

Embree's father was an early business man in Flint
himself. He built the first apts in Flint. Later,
another set. Plus he owned a large home, and owned
another Embree and family lived in. James at one time
was in partnership in a saloon called Murray & Smith
(until prohibition). He owned Smith Pharmacy,
and finally a sandwich shop for friends to hang out.
"Dad" as he was called by many who knew him never
gave up investigating his son's death.

Eighty-five years... And the memories of so many
continue to live on about Caleb "Embree" Smith.
I am extremely proud of him and to see that he has
been rediscovered and recognized for his dedication
and service by the Flint Police Dept is very moving.
Our whole family is excited.

Without the help of Chris from this Officer's Down
Memorial Page, Inc web site, there is little doubt
that anyone would ever know of Detective Sergeant Caleb "Embree" Smith. His help and introduction of
Embree's story to the Chief of Police in Flint
was instrumental in everything that is happening now.
Thank you.

-Kathleen Smith

Kathleen Smith
Granddaughter

October 25, 2006

OFFICER REST IN PEACE YOUR NOT FORGOTTEN.

G-MAN

October 24, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

October 24, 2006

Dear Sergeant Smith,

Your name was on the front page of the ODMP today. I had to look. You were the first Flint officer killed in the line of duty. I hope my son, Owen, is the last.

You are still remembered. I have seen your name every time I have been at the PD. You and the others are kept in everyone's hearts. Your service to the city is not forgotten.

Please keep Owen in line.

My very heartfelt thanks to you for all you have done.

Vida Fisher

Vida Fisher
Mother of Owen Fisher, EOW, 07/16/05

October 23, 2006