Moving memorial visits Americus
Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, December 13, 2017
The Georgia Law Enforcement Moving Memorial, sponsored by the Georgia Police Memorial Ride, visited Americus Monday afternoon and participated in the Christmas Parade that night. The memorial bears the names of Georgia law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty since 1794. Americus Police Officer Nicholas Smarr and Georgia Southwestern State University Police Office Jody Smith’s names were added after they were killed in December 2016, after being shot during their response to a domestic call. The two were best friends and roommates. Their deaths were remembered last week with various wreath layings and moments of silence. The Smarr-Smith Foundation, founded after their deaths, has already raised enough money to fund much needed equipment for local law enforcement and a scholarship. The moving memorial travels around the state and is sponsored through partnerships with local organizations, businesses and individuals. There is no cost to view the memorial. It was parked in the parking lot of the Sumter County Courthouse Monday afternoon.