Sgt. Michael Smith remembered at public funeral

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DALLAS - Officers from around the country traveled to Dallas Thursday for a public funeral service for Dallas Police Department’s Sgt. Michael Smith, who was among the five officers killed during an ambush in downtown Dallas.

Officers from as far away as New York and Vancouver attended the ceremony at Watermark Church in Dallas. Thousands of uniformed public servants honored the life and service of the fallen officer.

“My brothers in blue and khaki, lets stand. This is your family now,” DPD Chief David Brown told Smith’s wife, Heidi, and his two daughters, Victoria and Caroline. “No more strife. There are no more 911 calls in heaven. There are no family disturbances in heaven, no active shooters in heaven, no poverty in heaven, no poor performing schools in heaven.”

Smith was an Army veteran who had been on the Dallas police force 28 years. During that time he earned 51 internal commendations and 28 external commendations for his dedication and hard work.

The fallen officer’s funeral was held at the very church he worked as an off-duty security officer, watching over parishioners from his well-known perch in the lobby outside the sanctuary.

“Mike was doing his duty with his fellow officers and was hurt by a suspect who was intent on hurting someone. Mike risked his own safety to protect others that day,” said retired Officer Lance Wyatt.

Sgt. Anthony Pickens worked part time at Watermark with Smith. He said Smith would always come in 30 minutes early to check on the doors and talk to staff and members.

“Mike impacted a lot of lives. He was always engaging with people. Anyone who had contact with Mike would have a Mike story,” he said.

A procession following the two-hour service left the church to bury Smith at the Restland Memorial Park.

Funeral services for Officers Brent Thompson and Lorne Ahrens were held Wednesday. The funeral for Officer Michael Krol will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Prestonwood Baptist Church and the funeral for Officer Patrick Zamarripa will be Saturday.