Perhaps the most shocking moment of 2010 was the death of Shelton police Sgt. Orville “Smitty” Smith.
Smith, 64, died on July 7, after being struck by an alleged drunk driver four days earlier while Smith directed traffic.
His death rocked the lower Naugatuck Valley because of Smith’s active connection with residents in the area, and because he had seemed to be recovering from the injuries.
The driver of the car was arrested, and his case is working its way through Superior Court in Derby.
Meanwhile, the Shelton police department has honored Smith in various ways — such as buying new guns in his honor, and hosting ceremonies in his memory.
Remembering Smitty
Smith began working at the Shelton police department in 1971: he was an officer there for almost 40 years.
Prior to working as cop, Smith was a U.S. Marine, and served two combat tours in Vietnam. He was also a volunteer firefighter with the White Hills Co.
Those who knew him — and almost everyone in Shelton did, it seems — knew Smith as “Smitty,” the hardworking, quintessential “old fashioned” cop.
Smith was a creature of habit — a throw back, perhaps, to his days in the military as a U.S. Marine.
He ate the same meal at the same diner almost every day.
The day after his death, the owner of Pagliaro’s restaurant set up Smith’s regular coffee cup at his usual seat.
“Nobody can replace him,” Pagliaro’s owner Mike Xenidis said.
Colleagues at the department recalled Smith’s dedication and lighthearted nature.
“He loved being a cop. Wearing a uniform and badge, and getting out in the community,” Captain Michael Madden said. “He wanted to be in the center of everything.”
Smith took several of the extra private duty jobs just to be able to mingle with people from the community.
The Arrest
Smith was working one of his private duty gigs on July 3, when a pick-up truck driven by Bruce Knapik, 63, swerved on Route 110 and slammed into Smith and his police cruiser.
Knapik was charged with driving under the influence.
In September, the charges were upgraded to second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle.
Knapik is due back in court on Jan. 27.
Remembrance
Police officers and people from across the state attended a large wake and funeral with military honors.
Smith was buried at Arlington National Cemetery this fall.
Smith was awarded the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor and Law Enforcement Purple Heart by the American Police Hall of Fame.
The department again publicly honored Smith on Veterans Day, with a ceremony at which Police Chief Joel Hurliman presented Smith’s wife, Nancy, with the awards from the American Police Hall of Fame.
In the days after Smith’s death, the department received donations from friends and family. This fall, those donations helped the department purchase new rifles, which will be inscribed with a remembrance to Smith.
