Battalion Chief David Smith
18 September 1967 – 25 April 2011
“Your Brothers and Sisters Remember”
Yesterday, 25 April 2011, we lost a brother of 23 years. The collective heart of our 144 members is heavy with grief, we are profoundly sad.
Sometime around 4:00 PM, while at his home on Moonraker Drive, Chief Smith’s life was taken by a gunman, who shot David, according to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office, four times. Again, according to the Coroner’s Office, any one of the four shots would have been lethal, if it were to have been the only shot.
We appreciate the professional investigative efforts of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives and the forensic analysts performed by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Sheriff Jack Strain and Doctor Peter Galvin have every right to be proud of the conduct of their offices and the services they provide to our community.
Battalion Chief Smith served the vast majority of his 23-year career on the 3rd Platoon. In July of 2010, a Battalion Chief’s position opened on the 2nd Platoon and he transferred to accept the promotion.
A point of which Chief Smith was quite proud was his perfect attendance of his 23-year career. He did not miss one tour of duty! That unbelievable achievement is a demonstration of his character and commitment.
Chief Smith was a very much an island of order in a world where order is not common place. We all remember his impeccable grooming and attention to keeping things clean and neat. We also remember those who would intentionally make a mess of things just to get a rise out of him.
The undercarriage of his Camaro was cleaner than the inside of most of the cars in the United States.
David Smith was an honest man who spoke his mind without having to “over speak” his mind. Chief Smith was a man of earned respect amongst those who had the privilege to serve with him.
Chief Smith leaves behind his wife Kandi, daughter Daphne, and son Brandon. He also leaves behind 143 brothers and sisters.
Our Family Relations Officers, FPO Mike Thiel and I.T. Officer Bobby Worchel are assisting Dave’s family as they go about the planning of Chief Smith’s funeral. We will post that information on this website, when it becomes available.
