2017 Officer Memorial Award

Sergeant Collin Rose, Wayne State University

Sergeant Collin Rose succumbed to gunshot wound sustained the previous day while questioning a suspicious person near the university's downtown campus.

Sergeant Rose was in an area that had experienced numerous thefts from vehicles the previous day. He informed dispatchers that he was making contact with a suspicious person in front of 3650 Lincoln Street. During the encounter Sergeant Rose attempted to detain the man but the subject suddenly pulled out a gun and shot him in the head.

The subject fled the scene but was arrested in March 2017 after shooting at three Detroit police officers who were attempting to make contact with him. He was charged with Sergeant Rose's murder in August 2017.

Sergeant Rose had served with the Wayne State University Police Department for 5-1/2 years and served as a canine officer with the agency. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He had previously served with the Richland Police Department. He is survived by his fiancee.

Sergeant Rose was a member of Police Unity Tour. 

Officer Jody Smith, Georgia Southwestern State University

Public Safety Officer Jody Smith and Police Officer Nicholas Smarr, of the Americus Police Department, 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 the 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 scene the complainant advised them that the man was still inside 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 next day following a SWAT raid of a local residence.

Officer Smith was survived by his fiancee.

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.