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(New page: '''Randall V. "Randy" Smith''' (born c. 1957) is a former Birmingham police officer severely injured in a friendly fire incident in 1995. Smith gr...)
 
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'''Randall V. "Randy" Smith''' (born c. [[1957]]) is a former [[Birmingham Police Department|Birmingham police officer]] severely injured in a friendly fire incident in [[1995]].
[[File:Randy Smith.jpg|right|thumb|Randy Smith]]
'''Randall Versie Smith''' (born c. [[1957]]; died [[December 28]], [[2020]] in [[Birmingham]]) was a [[Birmingham Police Department|Birmingham police officer]] severely injured in a friendly fire incident in [[1995]].


Smith grew up in [[Homewood]], where he co-captained the [[Homewood High School]] football team that won the state championship in [[1974]]. Smith went on to join the Army before becoming a Birmingham police officer.
Randy, the son of James and Barbara Smith, grew up in [[Homewood]], where he co-captained the [[Homewood High School]] football team that won an [[Super Seven|AHSAA state championship]] in [[1974]]. Smith went on to join the U.S. Army before becoming a Birmingham police officer. Smith and his former wife, Wanda, had three children; Randall Brent, Leslie and Lauren.


On [[March 22]], [[1995]], Smith and other officers were called to a 3:00 AM domestic dispute in [[Ensley]].  Upon arrival, officers were told an armed man who had already fired two shorts was inside along with a toddler.  Smith entered the house, retrieved the toddler, and went out the front door, where he was accidentally shot in the right cheek by fellow officer [[Ronnie C. Hull]]. The bullet caused brain damage. Hull was later demoted because of the incident, being charged with several violations of department rules.
On [[March 22]], [[1995]], Smith and other officers were called to a 3:00 AM domestic dispute in [[Ensley]].  Upon arrival, officers were told an armed man who had already fired two shorts was inside along with a toddler.  Smith entered the house, retrieved the toddler, and went out the front door, where he was accidentally shot in the right cheek by fellow officer [[Ronnie C. Hull]]. The bullet caused brain damage. Hull was later demoted because of the incident, being charged with several violations of department rules.


Smith spent weeks in a coma after undergoing hours of surgery at [[University Hospital]].  He was later transferred to [[Spain Rehabilitation Center]]. After months of rehab, he returned home to [[Pleasant Grove]] on [[October 4]], [[1995]]. Smith's injuries resulted in deafness in one year, blindness in one eye, and slowness in speech. He has endured multiple surgeries, including plastic surgery to help restore his face.
Smith spent weeks in a coma after undergoing hours of surgery at [[University Hospital]].  He was later transferred to [[Spain Rehabilitation Center]]. After months of rehab, he returned home to [[Pleasant Grove]] on [[October 4]], [[1995]]. Smith's injuries resulted in deafness in one ear, blindness in one eye, and diminished capability for thought and speech. He endured multiple surgeries, including plastic surgery to help restore his face, and continued to suffer from seizures.


Smith still receives workers compensation checks, but his friends have done fund raisers to help pay for his expenses. He also visits patients at the [[Lakeshore Foundation]] and [[Alabama Head Injury Foundation]] to share his experiences. He was appointed grand marshal of the 2008 [[We Love Homewood Day]] parade and received a Quality of Life award from the mayor. Smith's friends are also organizing a Randy Smith College Scholarship to be awarded annually to a high school senior exemplifying spirit and determination.
In addition to workers' compensation, Smith's medical expenses were offset by fund-raisers organized by his friends. He visited patients at the [[Lakeshore Foundation]] and [[Alabama Head Injury Foundation]] to share his experiences. He was appointed grand marshal of the 2008 [[We Love Homewood Day]] parade and received a Quality of Life award from the mayor. Smith's friends also endowed a "Randy Smith College Scholarship" to be awarded annually to a high school senior exemplifying spirit and determination.
 
Smith suffered a fall in September [[2020]] and was undergoing rehabilitation when he had another fall in December. He died from swelling related to his injuries at [[UAB Hospital]]. Because his gunshot injuries were the underlying cause of his death, it was recorded as a death in the line of duty. He was buried at [[Southern Heritage Cemetery]] in [[Pelham]]. He was survived by his mother, brother, ex-wife, three children and two grandchildren.


== References ==
== References ==
* "City officer shot in face at dispute call." (March 22, 1995).  ''The Birmingham News''.
* "City officer shot in face at dispute call." (March 22, 1995) {{BN}}
* "Policeman wounded by officer." (March 23, 1995).  ''The Birmingham News''.
* "Policeman wounded by officer." (March 23, 1995) {{BN}}
* "Vigil for a good cop." (April 6, 1995).  ''The Birmingham News''.
* "Vigil for a good cop." (April 6, 1995) {{BN}}
* "Wounded officer remains in hospital after 5 months." (August 7, 1995).  ''The Birmingham News''.
* "Wounded officer remains in hospital after 5 months." (August 7, 1995) {{BN}}
* "Chief demotes officer who shot another in hostage situation." (September 19, 1995).  ''The Birmingham News''.
* "Chief demotes officer who shot another in hostage situation." (September 19, 1995) {{BN}}
* "Officer may never be back on beat." (October 5, 1995).  ''The Birmingham News''.
* "Officer may never be back on beat." (October 5, 1995) {{BN}}.
* "In line of duty disabled officer says city not giving him enough help." (February 22, 1997).  ''The Birmingham News''.
* "In line of duty disabled officer says city not giving him enough help." (February 22, 1997) {{BN}}
* "Randall Versie Smith" obituary (December 30, 2020) {{BN}}
* Robinson, Carol (December 30, 2020) "Former Birmingham police Officer Randy Smith dies 25 years after on-duty shooting." {{BN}}


{{DEFAULTSORT: Smith, Randy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Randy}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:Homewood graduates]]
[[Category:Homewood graduates]]
[[Category:US Army personnel]]
[[Category:US Army personnel]]
[[Category:Birmingham Police Department]]
[[Category:Birmingham Police officers]]
[[Category:Southern Heritage burials]]

Latest revision as of 17:14, 31 December 2020

Randy Smith

Randall Versie Smith (born c. 1957; died December 28, 2020 in Birmingham) was a Birmingham police officer severely injured in a friendly fire incident in 1995.

Randy, the son of James and Barbara Smith, grew up in Homewood, where he co-captained the Homewood High School football team that won an AHSAA state championship in 1974. Smith went on to join the U.S. Army before becoming a Birmingham police officer. Smith and his former wife, Wanda, had three children; Randall Brent, Leslie and Lauren.

On March 22, 1995, Smith and other officers were called to a 3:00 AM domestic dispute in Ensley. Upon arrival, officers were told an armed man who had already fired two shorts was inside along with a toddler. Smith entered the house, retrieved the toddler, and went out the front door, where he was accidentally shot in the right cheek by fellow officer Ronnie C. Hull. The bullet caused brain damage. Hull was later demoted because of the incident, being charged with several violations of department rules.

Smith spent weeks in a coma after undergoing hours of surgery at University Hospital. He was later transferred to Spain Rehabilitation Center. After months of rehab, he returned home to Pleasant Grove on October 4, 1995. Smith's injuries resulted in deafness in one ear, blindness in one eye, and diminished capability for thought and speech. He endured multiple surgeries, including plastic surgery to help restore his face, and continued to suffer from seizures.

In addition to workers' compensation, Smith's medical expenses were offset by fund-raisers organized by his friends. He visited patients at the Lakeshore Foundation and Alabama Head Injury Foundation to share his experiences. He was appointed grand marshal of the 2008 We Love Homewood Day parade and received a Quality of Life award from the mayor. Smith's friends also endowed a "Randy Smith College Scholarship" to be awarded annually to a high school senior exemplifying spirit and determination.

Smith suffered a fall in September 2020 and was undergoing rehabilitation when he had another fall in December. He died from swelling related to his injuries at UAB Hospital. Because his gunshot injuries were the underlying cause of his death, it was recorded as a death in the line of duty. He was buried at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham. He was survived by his mother, brother, ex-wife, three children and two grandchildren.

References

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