Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

No greater valor than to give your life for others in a gun battle...God Bless you and your family.

Karen and Paul Highbarger
Surviving Parents Offc. CS Nicholson-EOW: 12/19/07

December 30, 2018

Rest in peace my brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and the Henry County Police Department.

James J. Scanlon (Retired CPD)
North American SWAT Training Assoc

December 30, 2018

From a retired London cop...this is such a terrible waste of life.Sleep well brother you are now in the company of heroes.
Rip and God bless your family.

Mark
Ex met police got

December 30, 2018

RIP Officer Smith. What a tragic event. Sincere condolences to his wife and family.

Constable Tessa Le Roux
South African Police Service

December 30, 2018

You will be dearly missed brother. Rest Easy we will take the watch from here.

Officer Yusuf Saadiq
Henry County Police Department

December 29, 2018

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 29, 2018

R I P Brother

Herbie Buck Ret. Officer
NYSDOCS

December 29, 2018

My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Police Officer Michael Smith on their loss. Thank you for serving your country and community. Rest in peace.

CBP Officer(retired) Luis Otero
DHS/Bureau Of Customs And Border Protection

December 29, 2018

I am so saddened to hear that you lost your brave fight. May God hold you and your family in His arms. I just know you will be watching over your family from above. Thank you for your service to my new home State.

Sergeant (Ret.) Mary Milam
Chicago Police Department

December 29, 2018

Rest in piece brother. Thank you for your service.

Patrolman Michael Watkins
Thomaston police department

December 29, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue.

“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be Called Sons of God.”

Matthew 5:9

Detective D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

December 29, 2018

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place.
As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say “it’s OK, you’re with your eternal partners.”
A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.
Officer Jim Weaver (#11452), Los Angeles Police Department retired
12-25-2010

Officer Jim Weaver
Los Angeles Police Department retired

December 29, 2018

A PRAYER DEDICATED TO POLICE OFFICER II MICHAEL SMITH:

God of Mercy, we come boldly and humbly before Your throne in sincere faithful and fervent prayer. You are the Light, the Love, and the Life. We pray for the family and colleagues of Police Officer II Michael Smith, of the Henry County, Georgia Police Department, who fell, shot and subsequently died of his wounds, in the Line-of-Duty on Friday, December 28, 2018. We thank Police Officer II Michael Smith for his service to his community, state and his country, the United States of America. He is a "True Blue Hero”. Bless the lives of his family so that they might find healing. Help the Henry County Police Department comfort and support his family in their time of grief. Even though his death may have been senseless, make something good come out of this incident so that the Henry County Police Department and the County of Henry, in which Police Officer II Michael Smith served, might be stronger because of his life and death. We pray all these things, in Jesus’ mighty and holy name. Amen.

Rest in Peace our Hero-in-Blue. We will take it from here! God speed my Brother-in-Blue! And for the family, friends, and the Henry County Police Department, in which Police Officer II Michael Smith served, please find comfort in these words from Jesus Christ, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” [Matthew 5:4]. For the Lord Jesus proclaimed, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [children] of God" [Matthew 5:9] and "Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends" [John 15:13]. For the Lord Jesus also promised, “… Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise!” [Luke 23:43].

Pastor Steven R. Closs, D. Div.
Licensed & Ordained Independent Christian Minister
The Steven Robert Closs Ministries
Merrimack, NH 03054
”Chartered by the Universal Ministries Worldwide Church”

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D. Div.
Nashua / Merrimack NH Police Departments

December 29, 2018

Thank you Officer Michael Smith for your service to your city and your nation. When your son is an adult, may he remember you for the man you were.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

December 29, 2018

So sorry for your loss. Breaks my heart that we lost another good officer. Praying for everyone.

Dixie Carnahan
Civilian

December 29, 2018

Loss of a fine officer. Thought and prayers for family and HCPD

Retired Chief of Police Johnny McCurry
West Point Ga P.D.

December 29, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you for your sacrifice and service. Thoughts and prayers for your family, friends and brothers/sisters in blue.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

December 29, 2018

Rest In Peace...

Retired Detective Ed Falkowski
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

December 29, 2018

God bless Officer Smith and his family. He died doing the job he loved. He died a true hero. He died protecting us, the general public. There is no greater love then to lay down one’s on life for another.

Ret. Off. JR Neary
Fellow Officer

December 29, 2018

Lest We Forget! Rest in Peace.

Ptl. Bryan Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake OH PD

December 29, 2018

May the good lord welcome you with open arms, for you have done your job well.

Douglas Maykowski
Fraternal Order Of Police Central Macomb Lodge #187 Macomb County Mich

December 28, 2018

Rest in Peace Brother

Sgt. CCB (Ret)
USPP

December 28, 2018

I will always cherish and remember our times working a case together, thank you for simply reminding me that the compassion and empathy for others is why we stood together on the front line each and every day while serving our community. Your sacrifice will remind me of the greater good you cared for above all else, for that, I will be forever grateful.

Detective P.D. Culberson #5240
Henry County Police Department, CID

December 28, 2018

Smith family and friends may God grant you all with a speedy healing. Officer Smith thank you for your Dedicated Service to your Community and to your Department. Most of all thank you for your Ultimate Sacrifice in the Line of Duty.

Res.Sgt.Rudy Jones
Cuyahoga Falls Police,Ohio

December 28, 2018

"Somebody killed a policeman today,
And a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,
With counsel demanding his rights,
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids
And spend alone many long nights.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,
Just as if he'd gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,
To his name they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today,
It happened in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,
A cop put his life on the line.
Now, his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
And he stands at each new rookie's side.
He answered the call and gave us his all,
And a part of America died."

Author Unknown

E.C. Proft Cheif Deputy (retired)
ICSO

December 28, 2018