Retiring Dalton Officer Honored By Schools, Students

Officer Terry Smith is likely the first person that many young people in this community think of when they think of a police officer. 

The 26-year veteran of the Dalton Police Department spent 16 of those years patrolling the halls and classrooms of Dalton's Public Schools as a School Resource Officer (SRO). In that role, Officer Smith was much more than just a security guard - he built relationships with students and served as a mentor, protector, and even as a teacher, occasionally leading classes. Officer Smith served many years as the SRO at Dalton Middle School and later returned to the SRO role in other schools, most recently serving the elementary schools.

And now, he's moving on. 

Friday, December 17th was his last full working day as a Dalton Police Department officer. He will retire after putting on his uniform one last time on Saturday, when he will take part in the department's "Shop With A Hero" event. That's an annual holiday highlight in which police officers and firefighters use donated funds raised throughout the year to make sure some deserving kids in need have a good Christmas. After that, Officer Smith will head off into his retirement. 

"It's a unique feeling after 25 and a half years," Officer Smith said on Friday. "It's a strange feeling knowing that tomorrow will be the last time I wear the uniform."

Officer Smith has spent his last week on duty being celebrated. On Monday night, he was honored at the Board of Education's meeting, and then on Tuesday he was surprised with a retirement celebration coordinated by the staffs of City Park and Westwood Elementary Schools. At that celebration, Dalton Mayor David Pennington presented a proclamation declaring Tuesday, December 14th as Officer Terry Smith Day in the City of Dalton.

"That was phenomenal, I didn't expect it," Smith said of the honor. "It was not anything I deserved or expected, but I really appreciated it."

In a post on the Dalton Public Schools' website, Mayor Pennington noted that, "“everybody thinks being an officer is about giving out speeding tickets or running around catching crooks, but they do things like this every day that make Dalton a much better place to live.” 

Officer Smith's contributions certainly have made Dalton a better place for some of our smallest residents. His kindness and compassion with the kids in his charge certainly helped them grow up to be successful. As Westwood Elementary teacher Sheree Patton said Tuesday night, "just last week, a little boy said, ‘Westwood isn’t going to be Westwood without Officer Smith,’ and it’s so true."

Smith said that he is grateful to have had the chance to work with the kids and to be recognized this week.

"You go into that job just hoping you can make an impact in kids' lives," he said. "And maybe I did." 

Officer Smith's retirement will officially begin in January. The City of Dalton thanks him for his years of service and we wish him the best of luck in his new adventures. 

Below: Mayor of Dalton David Pennington joins with DPS teachers, staff, and students in wishing Officer Terry Smith a happy retirement in a ceremony earlier this week (pictures courtesy of Dalton Public Schools)