[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16762-16763]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF OUR FALLEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 12, 2016

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I 
rise today to pay tribute to the fallen law enforcement officers of 
Georgia's Second Congressional District. The last few weeks have been 
especially difficult in Middle and Southwest Georgia as we have lost 
four officers to senseless violence.
  On Wednesday, December 7, 2016, Officer Nicholas Smarr of the 
Americus Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance at an 
apartment home in Americus, Georgia. While Officer Smarr was awaiting 
backup from another Americus officer, his friend Officer Jody Smith of 
the Georgia Southwestern State University Department of Public Safety 
heard the radio call and responded to assist. As the officers attempted 
to pursue the suspect, who had fled, the suspect opened fire on the 
officers.
  Both officers were struck by bullets. In spite of being wounded, 
Officer Smarr ran to Officer Smith, turned him over from his face-down 
position, and began to perform CPR. While trying to save Officer 
Smith's life, Officer Smarr died from his injuries. When backup 
officers arrived, they found Officer Smarr slumped over Officer Smith. 
Nick Smarr and Jody Smith were lifelong best friends.
  On Thursday, December 8, 2016, Officer Smith succumbed to his 
injuries and passed away. The Americus Police Department and the 
Georgia Southwestern State University Department of Public Safety are 
each mourning the loss of one of their own. The Americus community as a 
whole is grieving over this terrible tragedy.
  This incident brings to mind another senseless tragedy that happened 
in the Second Congressional District not long ago. On Sunday, November 
6, 2016, Sergeant Patrick Sondon and Deputy Daryl Smallwood of the 
Peach County Sheriff's Office were responding to a dispute between 
neighbors when a suspect opened fire on them. Deputy Sondon was killed 
and Deputy Smallwood passed away from his injuries two days later.
  Each of these four brave men loved, and in return, were deeply loved. 
They were sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, significant others, and 
friends. What is more important, they were law enforcement officers and 
they put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.
  Sergeant Patrick Sondon served our nation in the U.S. Air Force. He 
had been with the Peach County Sheriff's Office for 13 years, after 
having served the Fort Valley and Byron Police Departments. He had a 
pilot's license and enjoyed flying and driving charter buses.
  Deputy Daryl Smallwood served our nation in the U.S. Marine Corps. He 
worked as a jailer before becoming a mandated officer in 2005 and 
served the Crisp County Sheriff's Department before joining the Peach 
County Sheriff's Office. He enjoyed listening to music and riding his 
Harley motorcycle.
  Officer Nicholas ``Nick'' Ryan Smarr graduated from the Police 
Academy in Forsyth,

[[Page 16763]]

Georgia. He served as a Corrections Officer in Telfair County, a Police 
Officer in McRae and Vienna, and a Deputy with the Sumter County 
Sheriff's Department before joining the Americus Police Department. He 
was an Atlanta Falcons fan and loved watching movies and spending time 
with his friends, which included Officer Jody Smith.
  Public Safety Officer Jody Smith graduated from Americus-Sumter 
County High School in 2009, along with his friend, Officer Nick Smarr. 
In 2012, he graduated from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center 
and served with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and Plains Police 
Department. In addition to serving with Georgia Southwestern's 
Department of Public Safety, he was a student at the University. He was 
known for being friendly and energetic and was a huge fan of the 
Atlanta Braves.
  Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 730,000 
people of the Second Congressional District honor these four brave 
officers for their dedicated service and for making the ultimate 
sacrifice in the line of duty. I ask my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to their 
families, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We pray 
that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the 
Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.




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