WHEREAS, Darryl C. Smith, Sr., a beloved law-enforcement officer and public servant who served with the Herndon Police Department, the Herndon Town Council, and the Purcellville Police Department, died on April 26, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Darryl "Smitty" Smith began his law-enforcement career with the Herndon Police Department in 1973 at the age of 22, making history as the first African American officer hired by the department; and

WHEREAS, starting out as the Herndon Police Department's first detection and youth crime prevention officer, Darryl Smith would remain with the department for 31 years, holding supervisory or command-level positions for over two decades and rising to the rank of captain; and

WHEREAS, a fixture of the Herndon community, Darryl Smith made history again when in 2004 he became the first African American elected to Herndon Town Council, serving as vice mayor from July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Darryl Smith had an outsized impact during his tenure as vice mayor, serving as chair of the Joint Communications Committee and guiding several public improvement projects implemented for the benefit of the citizens of Herndon; and

WHEREAS, from 2006 to 2015, Darryl Smith served as police chief for the Town of Purcellville, where he helped the department navigate both growth and recession while becoming more responsive to the needs of the community; and

WHEREAS, as a result of Darryl Smith's leadership, the Purcellville Police Department received the Virginia Municipal League Achievement Award in 2007 and was named as a semifinalist for the Webber Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement from the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2009; and

WHEREAS, committed to youth engagement programs through his work with both the Herndon and Purcellville police departments, Darryl Smith also founded Vecinos Unidos/Neighbors United, a volunteer after-school program that has provided students with homework assistance since 1997; and

WHEREAS, an active and engaged member of his community on both a professional and personal level, Darryl Smith was a member of the Herndon Rotary Club, the Herndon Optimist Club, and the Greater Herndon Jaycees; and

WHEREAS, Darryl Smith's dedication to law enforcement led to his involvement in several professional organizations, including the Herndon Police Citizens Support Team, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., and the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation, for which he served on the board of directors from 2007–2016; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his tireless efforts to help others, Darryl Smith was honored with many awards over the years, including the Herndon Rotary Club Citizen of the Year Award in 1986 and 2006 and both the Community Service Award and the Best of Herndon-Dulles Award from the Herndon-Dulles Chamber of Commerce in 1997 and 2000, respectively; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his daughter, Rena, Darryl Smith will be dearly remembered and fondly missed by his loving wife of 50 years, Maria; his sons, Darryl, Jr., and Kevin, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Darryl C. Smith, Sr., an esteemed law-enforcement officer and public servant who compassionately devoted his life to the well-being of others; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Darryl C. Smith, Sr. as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.