We are learning more about the relationship between fallen Officer Nicholas Smarr and Officer Jody Smith. Georgia Southwestern State University Police Chief says Smith died Thursday at Medical Center Navicent Health in Macon. Claire Davis spent Thursday finding our more about the special friendship between the two officers.
Friends since the beginning. “They've been friends. They're lifelong friends, they graduated the police academy together,” That's how Americus Police Chief Mark Scott described the relationship between fallen officer Nick Smarr and Georgia Southwestern State University officer Jody Smith. “Jody was there, for Nick. He heard him dispatched to that call and knew he was nearby and responded. He just knew he was there and knew his friend was going to a potentially dangerous call and he responded to back him up,” said Scott.
Like many law enforcement, the two weren't just friends, they were family. “They had a very strong relationship and the families had a very strong relationship,” said Scott.
Georgia Southwestern State University Police Chief Mike Tracy says Smith has a bright future. “Fine, intelligent young man. He was attending college getting married in the spring. He worked with us a while, has a good bit of experience. Just a really good guy,” said Tracy.
Scott says the bond between Smith and Smarr will never be broken. “I can't say enough about them. They are model officers. They're both heroes in my opinion. They were there together. They were together through it and even after the shooting they were together,” said Scott. “Their career paths took them in different directions, their career paths brought them back into the same town of Americus,” said Scott.
Officer Smith also comes from a long line of law enforcement. Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson says his father Johnny Smith served as Telfair Sheriff in 2008.