The widow and three children of Flight Tactical Officer Shawn Smiley were joined by hundreds of officers at First Baptist Church of Atlanta on Saturday morning to say their final goodbyes.
His mother said she wanted to say goodbye to her son the way she brought him into the world. And she did, singing to him during the solemn ceremony.
Smiley's daughter spoke of how he would drive her to school each day, starting her day in the right mood.
Friends remembered the Lithonia man for his drive and ambition something reflected in how Mayor Kasim Reed memorialized the 40-year-old pilot.
Atlanta Police Chief George Turner called upon the mourners to be more like Officer Smiley. He said everyone should follow his example and make a difference in the lives of others.
Many of his brothers and sisters in blue fought back tears as speaker after speaker remembers Smiley for his character, his leadership, and his intelligence.
Smiley studied mechanical engineering at Savannah State. A Navy veteran, he had a brief stint as a commercial airline pilot, but ultimately ended up joining the Atlanta Police Department's air unit in October 2012.
In a similar somber scene on Friday, Officer Richard Halford was laid to rest. The 26-year veteran of the Atlanta police Department spent the final 16 of those years in the air unit.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:02 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:02:13 GMT
It's just hair—so why not share a little for a great cause? Monday marks the 7th Annual It's Just Hair Cut-a-Thon at the Taylor Brooks Salon in Alpharetta, and you can help!
It's just hair—so why not share a little for a great cause? Monday marks the 7th Annual It's Just Hair Cut-a-Thon at the Taylor Brooks Salon in Alpharetta, and you can help!
Monday, May 20 2013 8:25 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:25:27 GMT
It's the time of year when high school students are graduating and getting ready to begin their college years.
It's the time of year when high school students are graduating and getting ready to begin their college years. Twelve Gwinnett County seniors honored with the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship will go to college for free, and five of them are from Mountain View High School.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:24:30 GMT
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:10:38 GMT
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters.
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters during Sunday's downpour.
