Police Officer Glenn E. Smith Detroit Police Department Michigan Saturday, October 24, 1970  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

I still remember our days in class at Wayne State University studying for our various classes and exams in the Police Administration Course. You were a true and dear friend and I reflected upon it today while watching a documentary about the 60's and 70's. Tears came to my eyes and I remembered the extreme sacrifice you paid to keep the citizens of Detroit safe and sound. Rest in Peace my friend and may all never forget. I never will, even though I left the Detroit Police Department and continued my law enforcement career in California and Wisconsin. I will never forget you.

Eugene E. Williams
Personal Friend/Former Detroi Police Officer
2008-02-10

I hope you are resting peacefully Sir.

Thank you for choosing to serve and protect.

Sterling Heights

2007-12-07

"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
2007-11-13

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

This writer is very disappointed that justice was not served on your behalf and I am so angry that any one would even consider naming a street after a black panther after all of the killing of so many police officers. I am so sorry that it has even become an issue.

Rest in peace, Sir, God Bless you, your family and police family, you are a hero and no one can every take that away from you.

Pat Van Den Berghe
Manchaester, NH
2007-10-20

Some things in life are not forgotten. RIP classmate.

Former DPD
Classmate from 68-K
2007-04-27

Officer Smith, you have not been forgotten. The first slap in the face for your family and brother officers came in the way of an acquittal in your case. Now the City of Chicago wants to name a street after one of the Black Panthers that was killed in a police standoff back in the late 60's. I find this unacceptable and I will fight this proposal to the best of my abilities, even if I have to appear at City Hall. You are the HERO Glenn. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

2006-03-01

The following is a letter sent to Chicago City Councilwoman Madeline Haithcock who has sponsored an ordinance to name a city street "in honor" of a former chairman of the Black Panthers who advocated murdering police officers.

************************************************************************

King County, in Seattle Washington just announced today that they will adorn all county seals, flags, papers, patches and badges with the image of Martin Luther King... I personally am proud to wear the image of my childhood "HERO" on my uniform and badge.

I am however shocked and appauled that you sponsored an ordinance to name a city street "in honor" of a former chairman of the Black Panthers who advocated murdering police officers. Members of the radical group were responsbible for the murders of 5 law enforcement officers, including 2 Chicago officers during his chairmanship.

I can think of the families of the murdered officers (Frank Rappaport ~ John Gilhooly ~ Glenn Smith ~ Kenneth Patrick ~ Ricky Kinchen), and how horrified they might feel to see this supposed honor. Please think of "all" involved before moving on with this idea.

Glenn McGloughlin

Officer Glenn R. McGloughlin
King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention
2006-02-28

Rest in Peace,Sir.Our Lord will see to justice.

2006-02-28

Thank you for your service Officer Smith

Officer
Maryland
2006-01-22

Officer Smith,
On today, the 35th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Detroit. It's a shame that a jury couldn't have found any of the scum that murdered you guilty.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

2005-10-24

REST IN PEACE GLENN

GLENN AND I WORKED TOGETHER IN THE THIRTEENTH PRECINCT. AT THAT TIME WE WORKED PLAIN CLOTHES AND CALLED THE BOSTER CAR.
ON THE DATE IN QUESTION I CAME TO WORK AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS EITHER THREE OR FOUR OF US WORKING, WHICH WAS TO MANY FORONE CAR. AS A RESULT I WAS ALLOWED TO TAKE THE NIGHT OFF.
GLENN AND THE OTHER OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A OFICER NEEDING HELP AT 16TH AND MYMERLE. THE BLACK PANTHER PARY HAD BARACADED THEMSELFS IN A HOUSE AND WAS EXCHANGING GUN FIRE WITH POLICE OFFICER. AFTER HOURS OF STAND OFF OFFICER GLENN WAS FOUND MORTALLY WOUNDED. THE BACK PANTHER SURENDERED TO A NEW PAPER REPORTER

SGT. ROBERT STRICKLEN
DPD 13TH PCT
2005-10-13

Rest in peace my brother officer in blue. You are not forgotten. The few of us left still remember the good times going through the academy (68-K) in Palmer Park.

1968 Academy Classmate
Detroit
2004-07-24