They came by the dozens, searching for parking spots in a full lot and walking through cold rain to enter a Henry County funeral home Wednesday night. Inside, the line stretched from one end of the building to the other as a community gathered to honor a slain police officer.
Members of various law enforcement agencies gathered along with family and friends to attend the visitation for Henry Officer Michael Smith.
“I’m here to support his family,” one woman said before hurrying inside from the rain.
Credit: GBI
Credit: GBI
Smith, 33, was shot Dec. 6 while responding to a report of an irate man at a McDonough-area dental office. According to investigators, a single shot struck and killed that man and critically injured Smith. He survived the initial shooting and was recovering. But three weeks later, Smith died from his injuries.
Six Georgia officers died in the line of duty in 2018. But Smith was the second Henry officer killed. In February, Locust Grove police Officer Chase Maddox was shot and killed while assisting deputies serving a warrant.
Maddox’s widow, Alex, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that her husband and Smith had once worked together on the same call. Since her husband’s death, Alex Maddox said she has been overwhelmed by the support from the community, including strangers.
Cannon Cleveland Funeral Home handed out small American flags this week for those planning to line the streets for Smith’s procession. A handful of flags remained Wednesday night on a table in the funeral home lobby as mourners quietly filed by.
» Henry County police chief: 'Please continue to pray for Michael's family'
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Hundreds are expected to attend Smith’s funeral Thursday at 2 p.m. at Glen Haven Baptist Church, located at 345 East Lake Road in McDonough. In February, the church hosted the funeral for Maddox.
Following the service, a funeral procession will take place from the church to GA 155 and onto John Frank Ward Boulevard. From there, the procession will continue around the McDonough Square, exit left onto Zack Hinton Parkway, then turn right onto McGarity Road. Those wishing to line the streets around McDonough Square in honor of Smith should arrive by 2:30 p.m. A private graveside service will be held for family and Henry County employees.
In addition to his wife, Smith is survived by a 3-year-old son, Asher, his parents and a brother.
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