Georgia Police Officer Dies Weeks After Being Shot at Dental Office

Amy Tang
By Amy Tang
December 29, 2018News
share
Georgia Police Officer Dies Weeks After Being Shot at Dental Office
Stock image of police tape. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Henry County Officer, Michael Smith, died in hospital early Friday morning weeks after being shot while in the line of duty.

The Henry County Police Department (HCPD) in Georgia announced the death of their seven-year veteran officer in a Facebook post on Dec. 28.

“It is with deep sadness to announce that Officer Michael Smith passed away approximately 4:30 a.m. this morning at Piedmont Hospital (Atlanta, Georgia) due to complications from injuries he sustained from a gunshot wound in the line of duty. Please keep the Smith family in your prayers. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming,” the post reads.

Many Facebook users commented on the post and said they would keep the officer’s family in their prayers. Some posts also expressed their appreciation for the sacrifices made by the police force.

“Heartbreaking! Officer Smith was a kind, quiet man, very well respected. Our prayers are with the family and his fellow officers. Thank you to all the LEO’s for the sacrifices you and your family make daily to protect all of us. Thank you, thank you!” wrote Vicki Myers.

“Rest In Peace, Officer Michael Smith. Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice. Prayers for your loved ones,” Beth Collier Beaty commented.

A fund-raising campaign was created on Go Fund Me a day after Smith was shot. It exceeded its original goal of $20,000 and $21,740 was raised by the campaign in 20 days.

An update was posted after Smith’s death. According to the update, “all funds raised will still go directly to his wife and son.”

The Shooting

Employees at a dentist office in McDonough called 911 on Thursday morning, Dec. 6, after a man came in, acting irrationally, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

“Something was unusual about this gentleman that frightened them enough that they called police,” Capt. Joey Smith, with the Henry County Police Department, told WSB-TV.

After arriving at the Smile Creators dental office, officer Michael Smith first tried to talk to the man, who was identified as Dimaggio McNelly. However, the two then got into a fight inside the lobby area of the business.

Officer Smith tried to shock the suspect more than once but the Taser was ineffective.

The 53-year-old suspect was killed on the scene, and the officer sustained a gunshot wound in the face area. According to GBI officials, the same bullet that killed the suspect also somehow struck Smith.

He was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital and after undergoing surgery, was in critical condition.

Police interviewed employees and other witnesses to the incident.

“They were upset about some kind of type of incident. I don’t know if it’s work-related, if he’s a customer, a family? Don’t have that information as of yet,” Capt. Joey Smith said to WSB-TV.

A dog was found inside McNelly’s red van that was still parked outside the dental office after the incident. Animal Control was called in to get the dog out of the car.

Officer Smith was the sixth officer to be killed in the line of duty this year in Georgia, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper.

ntd newsletter icon
Sign up for NTD Daily
What you need to know, summarized in one email.
Stay informed with accurate news you can trust.
By registering for the newsletter, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Comments