Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am currently reading your son Warrick's book and you should be very proud of him as I'm sure you already are. Never having met you, you still have found a way to impact my life. Your love and dedication to your family and job are overwhelming and make me want to be a better person. I live in Tampa and have followed your son's career and you have raised the finest man I will probabaly never meet. My mom passed away a year ago so if you don't mind taking care of one more person that would be great. May God bless you and your family. You truly were an angel on earth as is your son.

Kim Johnson
Tampa resident

December 21, 2008

Thank you so much for your service and raising a wonderful man.

Anonymous

December 14, 2008

Betty, I got to see Warrick and Samantha at Warricks book signing at Barnes & Nobles. I know you are so proud of them as well as all of your children. The book is awesome and very touching. I got to show Warrick and Samantha my bracelet with your name on it. I wear it everyday to remind me of the sacrifice you made and its my small little way of honoring you, my guardian angel. Rest in peace.

sgt. nancy morgan
BRPD

November 12, 2008

Miss Betty, I was only 5 years old when you passed but I grew up watching Warrick and hearing the great stories of your life. You were a tremendous role model for him and he has always been a role model for me. I wish I had known you longer and I know my parents, Sid and Beanie, miss you everyday. Watch over us.

Cody Edwards
Family Friend

November 11, 2008

I watched the story aired on the Today Show which showcased your son, Warwick and his generosity to those who are in need. He has carried on your duty of serving the public with pride and integrity. I am touched and inspired by his hope and unselfish acts. Your memory will live on through his gifts to others.

Det Holly Tucker
Broward Co. Sheriff's Office (FL)

November 11, 2008

Dear Corporal Smothers, As I write this reflection, I am listening to your son Warrick speak on New York Radio. In addition to being a fine athelete, he is a fine young man. His pain and his pride is ours as well. Your legacy lives on. You are not forgotten.

Sgt Arnold Rothenberg
Nassau County (NY)Police Dept

November 7, 2008

There is a touching article online and the Today Show about Officer Smother's son Warrick Dunn the pro football player who donated over 78 furnished houses to needy single parents in his mother's name. The article also talks about Warrick meeting his mother's killer in prison and the emotional toll such a heinous act takes on people's lives. The article may move you to tears. Officer Smothers should be very proud of her son and the goodness and values she instilled in him. Warrick Dunn should be proud of the good deeds he has done in this world. Many pro athletes aren't role models. Warrick Dunn is a role model dream. God Bless. I hope he and his brothers and sisters find their own peace.

mychael , NY

November 6, 2008

Corporal Smothers, I want to thank you for your service and to let you and your family know that you will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace.

Lt. Stephen A. Joy #980
Prince George's County Police Department

November 6, 2008

God bless you and thank you for your service!

officer quincy bryant
kenner police

October 25, 2008

BETTY IS A ROLEMODEL TO ME AND MANY OTHERS, I'VE HEARD MANY GOOD THINGS FROM MY FAMILY MEMBERS IN NEW ORLEANS AND ST. FRANCISVILLE. I'VE HAD THE HONOR TO MEET DERRICK A WONDERFUL PERSON, AND WARRICK YOU ARE TRULY A REFLECTION OF YOUR MOTHER'S EXPECTATION.

DY SMOTHERS
EBRSO/ COUSIN

September 9, 2008

The legacy of this brave woman lives on through her children, especially Warrick. I know that she must be proud of the wonderful gift she left for the world in him. May her family be forever blessed and know that her efforts will never be forgotten.

Valerie Shorter
Educator/DeKalb County Schools/Atlanta

May 9, 2008

Betty was a great addition to our track team 74-78, Warrick was the only child then...and I am just happy to have met her, Jarvis White......SU Wild Bunch....

SSGT USAF
Southern U Track Team

March 5, 2008

REST IN PEACE BETTY. YOUR CHILDREN ARE CARRYING THE LEGACY THAT YOU LEFT BEHIND. I KNOW YOU ARE SO PROUD AND SMILING DOWN ON THEM.

SGT. NANCY MORGAN
BATON ROUGE POLICE

January 29, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR 14 YEARS OF SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 1, 2008

Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, and your son Warrick carries your legacy on by the good he does. May you rest in peace sister

Garrett Watson
Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice

December 11, 2007

I was watching "My Favorite NFL Team of All Times, The Atlanta Falcons" on Monday Night Football and I heard something that I had never known about this family. I did not realize that Warwick's mother was a Police Office or that she was killed in the line of Duty. I am a Teacher and my husband is a Resource Officer in the School System and polices on the weekend. Therefore, I can understand a little about what happens. I cannot begin to understand how a family copes with Death of this magnitude. My heart goes out to Warwick Dunn and I hear all the time about how he consistently helps families in need and this makes his a "Big Player" in my book. I am a fan, I love you for what you do for communities in need and I pray that you continue to grow and help people who need it the most. Very seldom do we hear about people like Warwick who put so much of what they earn back into the community.

"I salute you, Warwick and my heart goes out to you and your family for what you have gone through." There is always hope for those who have hope for themselves.

Continue to grow!!!!!

Carolyn F. Jones
Graduate of Valdosta State University\
Valdosta, Georgia

Carolyn F. Jones
Coastal Plain Head Start Teacher

December 10, 2007

Cpl,

You will never be forgotten. Your memories will live on forever through your family, friends and fellow police officers who were lucky enough to work around a person like yourself. And I can truly say that you were a great person from watching how your son, Warrick, conducts himself on and off the field.

Rest in Peace

PFC S.Hill
DCMPD

December 10, 2007

I just read a wonderful editorial about your son, the Atlanta Falcon's football player, building homes for single mom's. What a guy! It is in your honor that you have such a wonderful son. I know you are proud of him.

John 3: 16

Only Bosco knows the pain...

Ret. Officer RB Wade
Richmond Va Police

December 6, 2007

I just wanted to write to tell you that you are not forgotten. I know Warrick is the most well known of your children but it's important to remember you had other children that continue to suffer as well. Thank you for your dedication, your service, and your willingness to lay down your life for the safety of your community.

Every time I watch Warrick play I will think of you and the price you paid. Please watch over us still working the streets down here.

PS..your son just broke the 10,000 yard mark. What an accomplishment. I know you were watching and I can only imagine how proud you are!

Patrolman TW Jester
Ft Wayne Police Dept.

November 22, 2007

Dear Ms. Smothers:
I think everyone already say what I want to say. I just want to let you know that I didn't have a chance to know you. But through your son's charity I learn about you, and I feel like I know you. I think you're very successful to have a son make your dream come true for your children and for others. I'm happy that in this world, once, there's a special woman. I wrote this poem for your son but there, I really want to let you know how much I appreciate your love for them and wish to pay a respect.


You’re a Falcon.
Not as any falcon I ever know of.
You’re my hero.
You wake me up in dawns.

You’re my hero,
You show me the way to live.
I want to live just like you.


I want to have just one thought
that you have in mind.
I want to do
just one thing you did in life.


You’re my hero,
Your pain,
A big charm God chose you to give
Because just you turn it into bless.

You’re my hero,
I always wonder the person had raised you up.
I always wonder the place she rested.
I want to come there, place a thousand roses
For the Woman who had lived for you.

(Charlotte, NC)

Trinh Nguyen

November 1, 2007

"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

October 31, 2007

God bless you Cororal Betty Dunn Smothers. Thank you for all you have done. Rest in Peace!!!!

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD

October 18, 2007

God Bless you in Heaven. We see what a fine job you had done on earth. Thank you for all of your service and kudos that your fine son is doing such charitable work.

October 15, 2007

Your death came at a time in our history when we were trying to find ways to work together in a community divided. You were the conduit through which all of us came to see each other as one. Your contribution to the department went way past the things you accomplished. Your legacy will be remembered by the love you had for all of us. Rest easy your work was done here.

Major Gardiner
co worker

August 22, 2007

Many people do not know this, but one of the suriving sons of Cpl Smothers, used his mothers death to become all he could be. He was a great running back in Baton Rouge and turned out to a great NFL running back named Warrick Dunn. Although we all love and greive for our lost ones this just goes to show you that there is still life after a tragedy like this. Rest in peace Cpl Smothers, you will surely always be remembered.

anon

June 29, 2007