Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"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

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

This may be re-posted in the Honor of his death and the death of any Law Enforcement Officer!

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

January 23, 2014

Rest in peace my brother in blue.

"Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God."

Matthew 5:9

Police Officer II D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

January 23, 2014

God Bless him and his family

Det. R. L. Drake, (Ret.)
N.Y.P.D.

January 23, 2014

Rest In Peace Brother.

Det. Andreoli
NYPD

January 23, 2014

Detective Sergeant Tom Smith, during your tour of duty you served your community with honor and dignity. It is now your time to rest with all of the other heroes that have gone before you, we will carry on from here. To the family of Detective Sergeant Tome Smith you all are in our thoughts and prayers. The Law Enforcement family will stand beside you. To the men and women of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Police Department hold your heads high as you all carry on during these difficult times. Fair Winds and Following Seas Warrior.

Detective Grade One Robert Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department/Homicide Branch

January 23, 2014

"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord"
. II Corinthians 5 vs. 8
Condolences to Kellie Smith and Entire BART Police Department in time of a loss. Great Group of People whose actions saved my brother's Life on May 14,2012 with the CPR and Not Giving Up on even thought he was long dead.
Thanks to Officer Kelly Smith and Nathan Moore He is Well Alive

Max Kuczkowski
Brother Of Peter Kuczkowski saved by Kelly Smith and Nathan Moore

January 23, 2014

Dear Smith family, so sorry to read about the incidence, my Heart just sunk after reading this.. may god bless you, the family, the department and the accident.. AMEN... OFFICER SMITH R.I.P.

P.O. TIM GOULD
CHICAGO POLICE CHICAGO,IL

January 23, 2014

So sad. Words and tears can not express my sorrow. Tom, I didn't know you were a police officer until today. I knew you were such a great father and husband. Maybe the best dad I have ever met. Also a great coach to the kids. Just like what they said in the news, you were such a happy, kind, and popular man and you were nice to everybody. God bless your family.

Wendy
Neighbor and friend

January 22, 2014

Rest in Peace Det. Sgt Smith. My sympathy to your wife and daughter and the members of your department

Richard Burger (Ret Detective)
Fond du Lac Wi.Police Dept.

January 22, 2014

God bless Sergeant Smith and his family. Our kids will play basketball in honor and memory of Sergeant Smith.

Civilian - Patrick Layne
San Ramon Youth Hoops Parent

January 22, 2014

Tommy,
I was there when you went 10-8 from the police academy. I have a lot of memories of the last 18 years, both good and bad, but mostly good and some quite funny. But mostly I will always remember the day you went 10-10 for the last time. I was there for that day as well. I am glad I had the opportunity to say Good Morning to you on that day. Thank you for that ride home when my car broke down on my day off. I will remember you from that day as well. Tom I will never forget you. Your family will always be in our thoughts.

Communications Supv Gary Hesson
BART Police Department

January 22, 2014

A great friend, mentor, leader... A loving father and husband you are missed RIP Sgt Smith S34.... Our hearts are broken

Ret. Ofc L. Bush
BART Pd

January 22, 2014

Rest in peace, we'll take the watch from here.

Lieutenant Shannnon
San Francisco Sheriff's Department

January 22, 2014

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J.D.Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's office

January 22, 2014

Although I am not in law enforcement I am heartbroken for the families of both officers. This is a tragic event and I feel it deeply as I remember the horror and sadness I felt when we lost our 4 officers in Oakland in March 2008. There were 20,000 at the funeral, it was heart wrenching but provided closure as painful as it was. Please extend my sincere sympathy to both families.

Mark MacDonald
Just a saddened citizen of Oakland

January 22, 2014

Sincere condolances to the Detectives family and department. Rest easy brother.

Det, Mike - Retired
Chicago PD

January 22, 2014

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Sergeant Tommy Smith. Another Hero taken too soon. May God comfort you and your family as you go and touch the face of God.
Your honorable service and sacrifice and bravery to the citizens of Bay Area Rapid Transit, California will not be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.


May the daughter of Detective Sergeant Smith, know that her Daddy, is a HERO who we will not forget and will forever be in his debt for all he has done for us. Detective Sergeant Smith. Thank You for your service and protection to us all, may you rest in peace. God bless you and your family.

Final Salute

VIPS 750 Jeff Claybern
Alexandria Kentucky Police Department

January 22, 2014

So saddened to hear the news.

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers and friends.

Reserve Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

January 22, 2014

Sgt Smith, God Bless you and thank you for your service, may Gob Bless your family and your loved ones during this most heartfelt time!

ND
Ret PPD/State Investigator

January 22, 2014

I just remembered hearing about your loss yesterday, while today I was paying my respects for all fallen officers on this site, God Bless, Christina Tamara Hogan

Christina Tamara Hogan
A citizen of the USA

January 22, 2014

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

January 22, 2014

Prayers to all who were involved in this and to all, family, friends, and coworkers impacted by this tragic incident. Rest in Peace brother. Your watch is covered

Jerry Boyd, Chief of Police-retired
Martinez, CA Police Department

January 22, 2014

May God bring comfort to the officers, family members, and all law enforcement personal Rest in peace dear officers.

Jan Taylor, Det, Retired
Dallas P. D.

January 22, 2014

Our entire Unit sends our prayers t o the family of Sgt. Smith and our support to the BARTPD. Your service to this Country will always be honored. RIP our brother.

Commander Griffin
MPS / DOPS Special Ops Chicago

January 22, 2014

We are very saddened by this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Smith's family and friends as well as with his fellow officers. RIP Sgt. Smith, and thank you for your service.

Dave & Isabelle Zehnder
BART Police Officer (retired) & his wife

January 22, 2014