Johnson City Police Vigil Draws Hundreds

Hundreds of people gathered in front of the Johnson City Police station April 1 for a candlelight vigil to honor and remember fallen police Officer Smith.

The 18 and a half year veteran of the Johnson City Police force was gunned down by 43 year old Southern Tier Imaging medical technician James Clark of Greene at 7 a.m. March 31 following a struggle in which Clark gained control of Smith’s service revolver.

Clark was fatally wounded by another officer minutes later during a shootout.

Some of those speaking at the vigil said it would take years of healing following the shocking deaths of Officer Smith and his shooter.

Several residents said they came to the police station to find consolation in numbers, even if they didn’t personally know the long-time officer known by many of his co-workers as D.W.

During some of the remarks at the memorial, Johnson City Police Lieutenant Michael Hatch told those gathered that the force was grateful for the outpouring of support from the community.

Funeral services for Smith will be held at 11 a.m. April 4 at Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City, where he was a member.

The Church is located only about a block from the scene of the shooting.