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Incident
Deputy Jailer Michaela Smith succumbed to injuries sustained during defensive tactics training in Whitfield County.
Deputy Jailer Smith was completing her jailer certification requirements which involved defensive tactics and being pepper sprayed. She suffered a strike to the head during the defensive tactics training. She returned home following the pepper-spraying practical and then went to the hospital when she began to show symptoms of a head injury. She was treated and released but readmitted to the hospital in the morning when her condition worsened.
She became unresponsive after returning to the hospital and she passed away on July 3rd, 2019.
Deputy Jailer Smith had served with the Murray County Sheriff's Office for only six months.
Survivors
She is survived by her parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Jailer Smith served with the Murray County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chatsworth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Jailer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Murray County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Michaela is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
Michaela is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michaela is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2019, 2 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 45th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 2019, 45 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2019, 46 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 110th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michaela was 26. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Michaela had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michaela was 26. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Michaela had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michaela was 26. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michaela had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Murray County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Murray County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Michaela among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Murray County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
