Officer Down Memorial Page

My sister recently sent me a picture of our grandfather,
Caleb "Embree" Smith in full uniform with his three year
old son in hand (our father) with another man she didn't
know. I was quickly able to identify this person as
Ted Anderson in WWI uniform attire. He is Embree's
widowed brother in law. Embree and Ted are smiling,
the ground has traces of snow.

Ted played professional and city league baseball
for the City of Flint. Years later he remarried.
But in those early years, he renovated Embree's
parents home and stayed in touch with the Smith
family after his wife & Embree's passing.
Ted became a postman for the City of Flint
and eventually retired to Florida.

Our family still has the visitor and flower registrys
for services from long ago...

This man demonstated his love and remembrance
for not only his wife, but for Embree, and later as
the years passed... Embree's parents.

What a great moment captured, both smiling
on a cold day in 1919~

-Kathleen
Granddaughter
January 27, 2012

Caleb "Embree" Smith married Agnes "Margeruite" Williams
on December 10, 1914 Genesee County, Michigan.

Kathleen
Granddaughter
December 14, 2011

December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor

On this day, seventy years ago, Embree's two sons
experienced the horrors of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Richard Embree Smith was on the U.S.S. Tennessee.
Jack William Smith was on the U.S.S. California.

Both survived the attack and found each other
in all the chaos without telephones, cell phones,
or any kind of electronic mapping...

For the thousands of military and civilian people,
my father and uncle found each other!
I am still amazed... Thankful... Proud,
and feel eternally blessed~

Kathleen
Granddaughter
December 7, 2011

Countdown to Christmas! The tree is up, decorated,
full of memories inspiring some awesome holiday cooking~
Grandpa Embree would have loved how Grandma's Sunday
dinners and Holiday cooking became the some of the best meals anyone can recall. Her cakes, cookies, and pies... From scratch always topped off the most tender, flavorful meals I have ever experienced. I was fortunate to watch and help when old enough create some of her cookies.
A pinch of this, a spoon of that, certain brands of spices,
and flour~ All her treasured recipes written in a green WWll ledger book given her by her son, Richard Embree Smith. Grandma made a big blackstrap molasses cookie that was soft w/ a buttercream frosting that was perfection.
Embree would have been so spoiled. There were years Grandma baked as many as 13 kinds of cookies and boxed them for their two son's families. What we didn't know
was there was a third box...

One year while visiting, my brother "found" a box of cookies in the garage... All layered in tissue and waxed paper.

Of course being the oldest, we were set up to "discover"
the cookies, and we did, and we tasted, and all three of
us kept going back all afternoon.... Nibble, nibble, nibbling
Just before dinner, dad came in from work, and we shared with him what we found... Dad nibbled, we nibbled,
and everybody nibbled... And we didn't eat much dinner.
Later we heard a OH NOOooooo! Poor Grandma realized her 3rd cookie box was raided. We all fessed up~
It was the only time in my life I can recall eating as many different kinds of magnificent cookies.

Kathleen
Granddaughter
December 6, 2011

hey great grandpa !!!

Thought you might like to know , I recently made the deans list ! I guess its in the blood !!! (CRIMINAL JUSTICE) CARRINGTON COLLEGE CALIFORNIA !!!

great grandson
family
October 9, 2011

I took a walk in the woods that bordered a small lake
in Columbiaville one year while visiting my father
after he had retired. I shared with him the beauty I saw
in the fall colors that were so vibrate. He told me about all the times he had in growing up, sleding and tredging
in snow, seeing all the fall color changes, visiting different relatives and friends around Flint, Potter's Lake, Holly, and Otisville. We sat on a small dock and
he shared a memory about how his parents met at a dance...
How it was retold to him by different relatives on both
sides of the family. His Grandmother shared her memories
of them courting. I shared that memory about the dance
with my Grandmother when I got home from my trip.
She lit up and talked about how that night went so
long ago. It was so easy to see how all these memories
of my father's would bring him back to Michigan after
he retired. We spent much of my visit revisiting
places and people that were very special to him over
the years. Now watching the leaves changing colors,
the apples & pumpkins beginning to hit the markets...
It brings those times with my Dad back and the
memories family shared with him about his father, Embree.

Kathleen
Granddaughter
October 31, 2010

Panoramic View

In my livingroom I have a panoramic view taken
in front of (I assume) the Flint Police Department.
Police Chief Cole, with his white hat, and about
38 officers are in a straight line for this photo
in front of a building that is heavily covered
with ivy. There is also a woman officer on the
force in this picture. Professionally done,
it's clarity and scope draws attention.

The photo has been passed down now 3 generations.

On the glass above Embree's image in the line
is a small black check placed by my father
as his eyes began to fail him with age~
I have never removed that check.

Interesting how people lives and memories
trickle down thru time still touching peoples hearts.

Anonymous
February 6, 2010

Sixty eight years ago today,both of your sons were at Pearl Harbor. Your eldest son, Richard Embree Smith was on the U.S.S. Tennessee. Only 25 years old at the time, he recalled years later the events starting nearly 24 hours before... Of how the order of the ships docking had changed and put his ship between Ford Island and the West Virginia,
right behind the Arizona. In the days before, the Tennessee had enjoyed the very spot now that is home to the Arizona Memorial... Apparently its location allowed a gentle breeze through the ship. Your eldest was 10 days from getting out of the service. Your youngest son, Jack, was 22 years old and on the U.S.S. California. Jack's ship rolled on its side from hits taken. When it was righted later, Jack recovered items from his charred locker. Richard's ship had the Arizona's inferno in front, the shrapnel from bombs that hit the West Virginia, the heavy smoke, flames, and oil fires in the water. Engines were used to push the fire away and its decks provided an escape route for crew from surrounding ships to Ford Island. Your sons survived that day, even finding each other. Richard re-inlisted 14 days after Pearl Harbor. Their telegrams sent to family to ease their fears caused their mother to question why she was in Michigan when her sons were part of the Pacific Fleet. Too far to be of help. She packed up and went to Garden Grove, California. There she raised turkeys, gardened, and used her ration stamps to provide some of the best meals recalled by both men. Pictures of those days we reflect on today and give thanks they both survived.

Kathleen
Granddaughter
December 7, 2009

That's my grandfather....
All my life I've listened to all the police stores passed
down over the years by my grandmother and my grandfathers
brother George Smith, my Fathers uncle......
Thank you Flint police dept. for honoring my Grandfather.
Richard Embree Smith Jr.

Richard Embree Smith Jr.
Grandson
July 16, 2009

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