[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 118 (Thursday, August 5, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S6875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING SERGEANT ORVILLE SMITH

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today I honor the life of a true 
American hero. Police SGT Orville Smith, a 39-year veteran of the 
Shelton, CT, Police Department, died July 7, 2010, of injuries he 
sustained while in the line of duty. I express my deepest condolences 
to his family, colleagues on the Shelton Police Force, and the entire 
community of Shelton for this tragic loss.
  It goes without saying that American law enforcement officers such as 
Sergeant Smith are a very rare and special breed. Every day, police 
officers around the country go to work with a singular objective--to 
selflessly protect the communities and the people that they know and 
love. It is an incredibly rewarding career, but one fraught with 
potential dangers and sacrifices. And unfortunately, men and women in 
law enforcement are all too often forced to make the ultimate 
sacrifice, giving their own lives in defense of their fellow citizens.
  That is exactly what Orville Smith, the first Shelton police officer 
to be killed in the line of duty since 1964, did. Late in the evening 
on July 3, while directing traffic outside of a local fireworks event 
commemorating the July 4 holiday, Sergeant Smith was struck by a drunk 
driver. He passed away 4 days later, leaving behind a loving wife, two 
children, four grandchildren, and a legion of fellow police officers 
who, during his nearly four decades of service on the force, came to 
know Sergeant Smith for his fearlessness and unflinching dedication to 
his job.
  Indeed, to say that Sergeant Orville Smith was committed to public 
service and helping his fellow citizens regardless of the personal 
sacrifice required is, in my view, a bit of an understatement. From his 
service as a U.S. marine in the Vietnam war to his work as a volunteer 
firefighter, Sergeant Smith made protecting and defending his community 
and countrymen his life's mission.
  While he planned to retire from the force next year, his heart truly 
belonged to the Shelton Police Department. It is therefore fitting that 
Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman called him ``one of the bravest guys 
I ever met'' and went on to say, ``He wasn't scared of anything, except 
retirement.''
  It was that kind of professional dedication and unwavering commitment 
to public service that made Sergeant Smith not only an exemplary police 
officer but a wonderful human being. He spent his entire life devoted 
to helping others and relished every minute of it. Several weeks ago, 
on the eve of Independence Day, he died that way, too--loyally and 
courageously fulfilling his duty to ``protect and serve'' until the 
very end.
  I express my deepest gratitude to Sergeant--Smith or ``Smitty'', as 
he was more commonly known by his friends at the Shelton Police 
Department--for his tremendous record of service to the people of my 
State and the Nation. I once again extend my most heartfelt condolences 
to all those who knew and loved him. While the death of a loved one is 
never easy to accept, it is my hope that the fact that Sergeant Smith 
died doing what he loved will bring them some measure of comfort during 
the months and years ahead.

                          ____________________