MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2013 1st Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Blount, Frazier, Horhn, Norwood, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Dawkins, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, Lee, Parker, Simmons (13th), Stone, Ward

Senate Concurrent Resolution 505

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN HERO JACKSON POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE ERIC T. SMITH.

     WHEREAS, April 4 now marks the date of another fallen "Drum Major for Justice."  In 1968, it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  In 2013, it was Jackson Police Detective Eric T. Smith.  King was 39; Smith, 40; and

     WHEREAS, Detective Smith lost his life in the line of duty while questioning a 23-year-old murder suspect.  A public service was held for Detective Eric T. Smith on Friday, April 12, and funeral services were held Saturday, April 13, at Jackson State University in the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center, with the Repast held at the Jackson Police Department Police Training Academy.  Smith was a member of the Jackson Police Department Training Academy 22nd Basic Recruit Class; and

     WHEREAS, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, Eric Tyrone Smith is the eldest of identical twin sons born to Robert and Peggy Smith on August 21, 1972.  He attended Jackson Public Schools and graduated from Callaway High School in 1990.  Eric enlisted in the Marines and took up residence at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in 1990.  Upon his honorable discharge in 1994, he returned home and enrolled at Hinds Community College in Utica, Mississippi.  Smith joined the Jackson Police Department in 1995.  In 2001, he was promoted to Detective, Robbery/Homicide Division.  After a 9-year courtship, Eric married the love of his life, Jackson Police Department Sergeant Eneke Williams, on November 3, 2007.  A year later he joined New Ebenezer Baptist Church in Jackson; and

     WHEREAS, Detective Smith served his family, church and community with distinction.  One of his most cherished awards was receiving "Officer of the Month" in March 2012.  Eric's hard work and dedication was recognized by the police department and those he swore to serve and protect, the citizens of Jackson; and

     WHEREAS, Smith is survived by his wife, Eneke Williams Smith; two sons, Eric T. Smith, Jr., and Quentin Smith; two stepdaughters, Jamillah (Eric) Henson and Ajinah (Tyrece) Robinson; one stepson, James Boykins, III; mother, Peggy Smith; father, Robert Smith (Earnestine); twin brother, Cedric Smith (Roxanne); and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and

     WHEREAS, his memory will live on throughout the Jackson Police Department, Hinds County Sheriff's Department, and other law enforcement agencies.  His legacy with the Jackson Police Department will live on in the minds and hearts of all of those whose life he touched in some special way.  He will be remembered as a quiet spirit, yet professional individual who displayed a warm smile.  Detective Smith had the respect of his peers as well as the rank within the police department.  The respect was given freely to him because of the way he presented himself while doing his job, along with the commitment and dedication he gave in service to the citizens of Jackson and the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and pay tribute to the legacy of a fallen hero, Jackson Police Department Detective Eric T. Smith, who was lost in the line of duty on April 4, 2013, and extend our sympathy to his surviving family.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Detective Smith, transmitted to the Mayor of the City of Jackson, the Chief of Police of the Jackson Police Department and the Chief of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.