A Henry County police officer shot at a dentist's office was remembered Thursday as a devoted father and loving husband.
Officer Michael Smith died Dec. 28 at Piedmont Hospital after complications he endured after the shooting. Less than a month ago, Smith tried to calm a man down during a tense situation at a dentist office. A struggle ensued and one was shot was fired. Both Smith and the other man were struck by the bullet.
On Thursday, Smith was remembered as a devoted father and loving husband at a funeral service at Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. Law enforcement agencies from all over the state came to Henry County to honor the 33 year-old officer.
“He went where duty called, he defended us to the end and he finished well,” said Henry County Police Chief Mark Amerman during the service.
Pastor Bart Stone, the same pastor who officiated Officer Smith and his wife Erin’s wedding, read anecdotes from some of Smith’s fellow colleagues and friends. Toward the end, he said, “people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
Chief Amerman asked the first responders in the service to stand up, and then asked Smith’s family to do the same.
“Look at their eyes, they signed on because there are people like this, who are willing to be there for you,” he said. “It is what we are and what we do. Brothers and sisters, and there’s nothing quite like it.”
Amerman addressed Smith's family and their strength during his difficult recovery.
"I've never seen such a strong and loving family as yours," he said. "It made me proud to be among young. And now, I know where Michael got his will to stay in the fight."