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Incident
Georgia Southwestern State University Department of Public Safety, GA
Police Officer Nicholas Smarr and Public Safety Officer Jody Smith, of the Georgia Southwestern State University Department of Public Safety, were shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence incident at a local apartment complex at South Lee Street and Country Club Drive, near Georgia Southwestern State University.
The officers had been notified that the male subject was punching holes in the apartment walls and that he had an active felony warrant. When they arrived on the scene the complainant advised them that the man was still inside of the apartment. Officer Smith went to the rear of the building as Officer Smarr announced himself at the front door. As Officer Smarr entered the apartment he observed the male subject entering the apartment from the back door.
He ordered the man to come to him, but the man instead fled out of the back door. Officer Smarr radioed that the man was fleeing and ran through the apartment. As both officers pursued the man on foot the subject opened fire on them, striking both officers in the head. Despite his wounds, Officer Smarr returned fire but did not strike the suspect. Officer Smarr immediately began to perform CPR on Officer Smith until he collapsed from his own wounds. Both officers were transported to Phoebe Sumter Regional Hospital where Officer Smarr was pronounced dead. Officer Smith was flown to a trauma center in Macon, Georgia, where he died the following day.
The suspect fled the scene but committed suicide the next day following a SWAT raid of a local residence.
Officer Smarr was a U.S Marine Corps veteran. He also served with the Americus Police Department for one year and had prior law enforcement experience.
Officer Smarr and Officer Smith had known each other their entire lives and were best friends. Officer Smarr was going to serve as the best man at Officer Smith's wedding in May 2017.
In February 2017, the university's public safety building was renamed the Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith Memorial Building.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Nicholas is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Smarr gave the Americus Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Americus community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Nicholas Ryan Smarr served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Americus Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Nicholas is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Nicholas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Nicholas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2016, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 2016, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2016, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nicholas was 25. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Nicholas had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nicholas was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Nicholas had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nicholas was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nicholas had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Americus Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Americus Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Nicholas among them.
Where
Military Service
Nicholas Ryan Smarr served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Nicholas Ryan Smarr’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Americus Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
