Valley Independent Sentinel

Shelton Officer Has Died From His Injuries

by Jodie Mozdzer | Jul 7, 2010 6:43 am

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Posted to: Shelton, Police

Sgt. Orville Smith, the officer who was struck by an alleged drunk driver while on private duty Saturday, has died from his injuries, police said.

Smith, 64, was in the intensive care unit at Bridgeport Hospital when he passed away at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday from complications from internal injuries, according to a statement Shelton police released.

Smith was a 39-year-veteran of the Shelton Police Department and was assigned as a patrol supervisor on the day shift.  

Smith was also a United States Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War.  

Smith has also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Shelton Fire Department White Hills Co. No. 5.

Smith was also a past president of the Shelton Police Association.  

Smith is survived by his wife, Nancy Smith, of Oxford.  

Police are still investigating the accident, but said that Smith was struck by a Nissan Frontier pick-up truck on July 3 at about 10:15 p.m., when he was directing traffic on Route 110 as part of a private duty job.

The truck was driven by Bruce Knapik, 63, of Bridgeport, police said.

Knapik was charged with driving under the influence and was released from custody Saturday evening, police said.

He could face more charges.

The accident is under investigation by the Trumbull Police Traffic Division Reconstruction Team with assistance from the Shelton Police Traffic Division Reconstruction Team.

Smith had appeared to be recovering from his injuries, and was conscious and in apparent good spirits on Tuesday, police had said.

“Initially, it’s shock,” Detective Ben Trabka said of the department’s reaction to Smith’s death.

“Smitty loved to be a police officer and that’s all he ever wanted to be in his whole life. He didn’t want to retire. And he died doing what he loved.”

Trabka said Smith had a “heart of gold” and was a very giving and good-hearted person.

“The loss of Sgt. Orville Smith has deeply affected the entire Shelton Police Department,” Chief Joel Hurliman said in the statement. “Sgt. Smith was a dedicated officer and his loss will affect the entire city.”

He had suffered a broken pelvis, and required stitches to his leg, arm and fingers.

Editor’s note: Readers have been leaving condolences for Sgt. Smith and his family on our Facebook page

Below is the press release issued by the Shelton Police Department Wednesday.

Sgt. Smith Death

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