New Smarr-Smith endowed scholarship established at SGTC memory of fallen officers

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, November 15, 2017

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 John Watford, Ed.D., 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 SGTC Foundation. Family members of the two fallen officers were also present at the check presentation at Saint John’s Anglican Church of Americus during the Blessing of Law Enforcement.
St. 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.’”
SGTC President Watford thanked the anonymous donor for the generous gift and St. 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 2011, and became a certified law enforcement officer in 2012. Jody Smith had attended SGTC 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,” said 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.”