From STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS – A new endowed scholarship in memory of fallen Americus Police Officer, Nicholas R. Smarr, and Georgia Southwestern State University Campus Safety Officer, Jody C. Smith, was established at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) recently.
SGTC President Dr. John Watford, SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird, and SGTC Dean of Academic Affairs over the Law Enforcement Academy Vanessa Wall accepted the anonymous donation on behalf of the South Georgia Technical College Foundation. Family members of the two fallen officers were also on hand at the check presentation at Saint John’s Anglican Church of Americus during the Blessing of Law Enforcement.
Saint John’s Anglican Church of Americus member and retired Judge George Peagler presented the scholarship donation and said, “on behalf of a grateful community I have been requested by an anonymous donor to present a gift in the amount of $5,500 for a second endowed scholarship in thanksgiving for the lives and heroism of Americus Police Department Officer Nicholas Smarr and Georgia Southwestern State University Campus Safety Officer Jody Smith.
“It is very fitting that we recognize these two individuals and their families on the day when we thank all law enforcement officers for their service,” continued Peagler. “We hope that the memory of these men will continue to live on through the lives of those this scholarship helps. We also have been taught that ‘greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another.’”
Watford thanked the anonymous donor for the generous gift and Saint John’s Anglican Church of Americus for offering the special Blessing of Law Enforcement.
“I regret that this scholarship opportunity had to come at the expense of the lives of two outstanding South Georgia Technical College students and law enforcement officers,” said Watford. “Our hearts continue to go out to the family and friends of Officers Smarr and Smith. It is our prayer that this gift will assist other POST certified officers who wish to continue their education. We hope that the fine men and women who earn these scholarships will honor the memories of Officers Smith and Smarr through their service to our citizens.”
Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith both attended the SGTC Criminal Justice Program. Smarr attained his Associate of Applied Science Degree in June of 2011 and became a certified law enforcement officer in 2012. Smith had attended South Georgia Tech in 2010 and had returned in 2016 to begin completing his Criminal Justice associate degree.
“This endowed scholarship will be a tremendous support to our students and we are very pleased that an anonymous donor chose to assist with the growth of our community and workforce through this educational scholarship opportunity,” Watford, who added, “partnerships like this one and others are crucial to our success. An investment in an endowed scholarship continues to give back to students indefinitely.”
For more information about making a donation to the SGTC Foundation or endowing a scholarship at South Georgia Technical College, contact Su Ann Bird, Executive Director of the SGTC Foundation and Vice President of Institutional Advancement at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contributions may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA. Additional donations can be added to the Smarr-Smith Scholarship fund and all donations will be recognized and shared with members of the Smith and Smarr families.