Friday’s Heroes: Remembering the Fallen

 

 

Officer Verde Smith, Jr., 46

Memphis Tennessee Police Department

June 4, 2016 – Officer Verde Smith, Jr. was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by a man who’d just shot three people. Officer Smith was attempting to move people to safety when the suspect crashed through a barrier, striking him.

Officer Smith is survived by his children, fiancee, and father.

The above image, taken just a fews days before he was killed, was probably the last photo taken of Officer Smith. Yes, the lives of police officers do indeed matter … very much so.

Sergeant Derrick Mingo, 35

Winnsboro Louisiana Police Department

June 4, 2016 – Sergeant Derrick Mingo was killed in a car crash while responding to assist in a pursuit.

Sergeant Mingo is survived by his wife.

Officer Natasha Hunter, 32

New Orleans Police Department

June 7, 2016 – Officer Natasha Hunter was struck by a drunk driver while she was blocking traffic for another officer who was investigating a traffic crash. She was transported to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Officer Hunter is survived by her five-year-old daughter.

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Officer Hunter, along with the two brave officers listed above, died while doing what officers do … protecting the lives of others.