Mary Smith

Mary Smith (born 1958 in Queens, New York, died October 23, 2006 in Fairfield) was a career police officer, killed in the line of duty.

Smith was born the youngest of four siblings in Queens, New York. She joined the Birmingham Police Department in 1985 and worked security details at several Birmngham Public Library branches in western Birmingham.

In January 2004 she was one of three officers who shared the Exchange Club "Officer of the Month" award for her part in counseling a suicidal woman to seek medical help.

Smith retired from the Birmingham force in 2005 and joined the Fairfield Police Department in August 2006. She responded to a suspicious vehicle report on the morning of October 23, 2006 in the Vinesville neighborhood. She was shot in the chest while getting out of her car. She was pronounced dead after being admitted to UAB Hospital.

Fellow officer Erick Burpo was wounded by gunfire after he pulled up seconds later.

She is survived by her mother, two sisters and a brother, as well as by her daughter RaSheka, a student at the University of Alabama.

References

• Norris, Toraine and Chanda Temple (October 24, 2006) "Slain officer remembered as special mother." Birmingham News
• Gordon, Robert K. and Bill Plott (October 24, 2006) "Agents hunt officer's killers." Birmingham News