Stone County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas
End of Watch Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Justin Smith
I've been working law enforcement for 24 years here in Stone County. I have seen many officers come and go, lost another brother a few years ago in the line of duty. Justin worked for several years as a deputy sheriff and also worked as an SRO. I can't recall a time i have seen Justin in a bad mood. Always happy and loved his job. He was always the first one to greet you comming in the door and would joke around when asking for help with technology that was issued thru the department. Justin would do anything for anyone and didnt hesitate any. He was there for any training classes, public events (loved Shop with a Cop) and ask questions for things he wasnt sure about. Justin was one of those officers that you knew had your back going to any call. Justin was loved by many and i was and am glad to call Justin a friend. I was there with Justin in the end and he fought the entire time like a warrior would . Going to miss you buddy!
Lieutenant / Investigator Jeremy Beaudin Mountain View Police , Mountain View, Arkansas
January 4, 2024
Rest In Peace Deputy Sheriff Justin Smith! Thank your service with the Stone County Sheriff's Office, in Arkansas. We thank you for your devotion and your sacrifices, and also to your family and your friends for their sacrifices. Our hearts break for your family and your friends during this terrible tragedy, and we want them to know that you will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and Prayers also go out to all of your sisters and brothers in Blue that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew 5:9)
Eddie & Kelly King
January 4, 2024
God rest his soul.
Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Ret.
January 4, 2024
Rest in Peace brother . Let us pray to honor and remember a fallen police officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. May we ask God to bless this officer and all of their family and friends, and may we never forget their courage and commitment to keeping us safe.
Retired Peace officer Greg Lenihan
Saint John Police Force
January 4, 2024
Please join in giving your thoughts and prayers to the immediate family of Deputy Sheriff Justin Smith and the extended law enforcement family of the Stone County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas.
End of Watch Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.
I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.
By Jon F. Hooper
"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation
January 4, 2024
Rest in peace brother
Retired Peace officer Greg Lenihan
Saint John Police Force
January 4, 2024
You have a special place in heaven, braveheart. Know that justice will be served. May God bless.
Patricia Harrison
January 4, 2024
May God and St. Michael watch over you in Heaven, Deputy Smith.
Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department
January 4, 2024
My deepest condolences to the entire Smith family, including his brothers and sisters in his Leo families. May his soul rest in peace.
Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"
January 4, 2024
Rest in Peace Brother.
Capt. A. Hoopes
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office Va.
January 4, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Justin Smith, my deepest condolences to all those that love and care about you. You were murdered by a cowardly criminal and he should be quickly brought to justice. I thank you for your service to all of us and we all need to remember that. May God Bless you! Rest In Peace, Brother.
Mary Milam
Sergeant (Ret)
Chicago Police Department
Hudson, FL
January 4, 2024
RIP Deputy Justin Smith and thank you sir for your service. May God be with and comfort you family and loved ones. Prayers that justice will be swift and firm for your assailant.
Deputy Sheriff (Ret) Glen Allison
Tarrant County S.O. Ft Worth, Texas
January 4, 2024
Rest In Peace! Thank You For Your Service!
Pedro Rodriguez; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
January 4, 2024
Our hearts continue to break for our blue family as we lost another officer in a Line of Duty Death. Rest In Peace Deputy Justin Smith. We appreciate your selfless service and the courage you had in serving and protecting the citizens under your watch and they do as well. Many people don’t understand why we take the oath we do for so little return when we choose this profession, but I can assure all that we don’t do it for glory, for pride, to boast of our accomplishments; we don’t do it for ourselves and we certainly don’t do it for the money. We do it because it is a calling from within, an honor and understanding that only a select few respond and answer. There is a certain amount of courage instilled in the honorable men and women that answer the call for service and an understanding we may have to lay down our own lives to serve, protect and save another. Many don’t understand that nor could comprehend our reasoning we do this daily,… our “why” we do what we do and what our oath means to us. The love we have for strangers we’ve never met and our fellow officers that we could leave our own family behind to serve others,... I choose to believe that is clearly one of God’s Warriors. What an honor truly it is to be a Sheepdog. There is courage, a deeper understanding of what is needed from us, a warrior mindset to run towards what many others fear and run from; a clear and selfless servants heart to always do the right thing no matter what the outcome is or will be and for a just cause. You sir are a Sheepdog.
Anyone that listens to your agency, your friends, your family members and your community speak about you and who you were knows you were proud to serve, proud of what you represented, and you were proud to be part of something much bigger than what anyone outside looking in could ever understand. Your family understands what being a Law Enforcement Officer meant to you and they certainly and absolutely should be proud of you and your accomplishments during your career, and it’s clear they are… WE all are.
You were taken too soon brother and I believe justice will be served through the State of Arkansas seeking justice for you, your family and our community and a bigger judgment day will happen all in His time for your murderer but until then, we will continue to keep your friends and family, both blue and blood, in thought and prayer. May God send peace to your family and our blue family across the State of Arkansas and across the nation as you joined the honorable ranks of many other heroes gone before you. You mark the first Law Enforcement Officer killed in the Line of Duty for 2024 in the United States. It hurts to even say that aloud and worse to see it already on the Officer Down Memorial Page. It saddens all of us even more knowing you were one of ours here in Arkansas. Rest easy and know we have the watch from here...
Amanda M. Chaney
CLEST Agent
Arkansas Dept. of Public Safety
Law Enforcement Standards & Training Division
Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy
January 4, 2024
God Bless you and your family.
Deb Holmes
Chicago PD (retired)
January 3, 2024
Deputy Smith, a police officer should be remembered not by how he died but by how he lived! A brave man has left to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you for your years of law enforcement service, to your family, and to the Stone County Sheriff's Office. Our country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace Brother!
Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH
January 3, 2024
Rest in Peace Deputy Smith. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Smith Family and the Stone County Sheriff's Office.
Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office New Jersey
January 3, 2024
"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 Chief Criminal Deputy (Retired)
Island County Sheriff's Office
January 3, 2024
May Deputy Smith Rest In The Arms Of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ . He served his Community and Country with Honor. May his Family and Co-Workers at the Sheriffs Department and Friends know that he is at The Table of Our Lord this evening. RIP Deputy Smith….God’s Speed to you .
Kevin
Retired Federal Officer
January 3, 2024
Godspeed, Deputy Sheriff Justin Smith. I thank you and your family for your years of service and ultimate sacrifice. My family and I will always be grateful for your faithful protection. We grieve your loss and send prayers to your department, family and friends.
Kim Beck McCorkle, RN, CCRN
January 3, 2024
Deputy Smith,
Thank you for your selfless service to the people of Stone County. I will pray for your friends, family, loved ones and colleagues. Rest in peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9
Daniel Ryan
Private Investigator (Retired)
January 3, 2024
Hero never forgotten. Prayers to family blood and blue.
BLR
Retired Texas dispatcher
January 3, 2024
My family and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and fellow coworkers of Deputy Sheriff Justin Smith during this difficult time. May they find comfort and support from those around them. May happy moments from the past bring forth precious memories to cherish for a lifetime. May God help heal their aching hearts. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Justin Smith.
Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2/16/04
January 3, 2024
RIP Hero. May you forever spend your eternal life with our dear Lord in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with all your loved ones. Our country is now a little less safe without you. Thank you for your service.
HEROES NEVER DIE....
Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon
January 3, 2024
Rest In Peace Brother.
Det. Andreoli
NYPD-Retired
January 3, 2024
Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:
- Quick access to your heroes
- Reflections published quicker
- Save a Reflection signature
- View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past