On December 7, 2016, Americus Police Officer Nicholas Smarr and Georgia Southwestern State University Public Safety Officer Jody Smith, best friends since kindergarten, were mortally wounded while responding to a domestic violence call. Smarr died that day shortly after performing CPR on Smith, who died the next day. Both Officers perished in the line of duty serving their community and university. Both were fine officers and even better men and will be sorely missed in the Americus and Georgia Southwestern communities.
This petition calls upon on Georgia Southwestern State University, working with the approval of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and the Board of Regents of the Univiersity System of Georgia, to rename Hurricane Field, the home of the university's men's baseball team, in memory of these fine fallen officers. We also petition the University, in conjunction with the Board of Regents of University System of Georgia, to allow for an appropriate, tasteful memorial to be located on the stadium grounds to honor their memory, and the memory of all law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in Sumter County, Georgia.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
December 15, 2016
December 15, 2016
Seeing this kind of momentum feels like a weight lifting off my shoulders because it proves that people still remember the sacrifice Nick and Jody made for all of us. I truly believe we are moving toward a future where their names will be honored on that field for generations to see.
December 14, 2016
I have been in touch with local officials to discuss the formal process for renaming the field and placing a memorial. Seeing the ongoing support reminds me every day why Nick and Jody deserve this permanent tribute in the town they loved.
December 14, 2016
Nicholas and Jody were inseparable as boys and colleagues, and seeing so many of you support this tribute to their legacy means the world to our families. We are approaching our one thousand signature milestone, so please send this link to those who still need to hear their story.
Reached 100 supporters
December 13, 2016
368 Comments
As a fellow law enforcement officer and former collegiate baseball player, I believe it is our duty as citizens of the fine state of Georgia to honor these fallen heroes via our University System of Georgia in any way possible.
I've lived here my whole life 45 years and we name things after others for far less reasons & I agree that since GSW is a very big part of Americus that the field should be renamed so that these 2 remain a big part of Americus also.
My Mom graduated from Georgia Southwestern 50 years ago from the nursing program. I think she would be very proud to see the field named after these two fine young men.
My baby girl loved Jody when she was going to GSW Pre-K program last year. When I told her he passed she started crying & asking me if we can home for his funeral since we moved over summer to Arkansas. I hated telling my baby girl no that we couldn't. She praying for all the family & friends of both officers.
By renaming this field in the fallen officers honour will, I feel, shown how much the community feels about this dreadful event - and will also help to heal rifts.
My father is a graduate of this school and is a part of the almuni board. I am a proud supporter of #backtheblue and I work everyday with our fine men and women that wear the badge and protect us. I will sign this petition proudly for the USG and State of Georgia to acknowledge Officer Smarr, Officer Smith, and all fallen officers along with the renaming of the Hurricane Baseball field. ---Signed
My grandmother was head dietician at this school in the 1970's. Now my daughter is about to graduate in May. This will always be my home.
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On December 7, 2016, Americus Police Officer Nicholas Smarr and Georgia Southwestern State University Public Safety Officer Jody Smith, best friends since kindergarten, were mortally wounded while responding to a domestic violence call. Smarr died that day shortly after performing CPR on Smith, who died the next day. Both Officers perished in the line of duty serving their community and university. Both were fine officers and even better men and will be sorely missed in the Americus and Georgia Southwestern communities.
This petition calls upon on Georgia Southwestern State University, working with the approval of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and the Board of Regents of the Univiersity System of Georgia, to rename Hurricane Field, the home of the university's men's baseball team, in memory of these fine fallen officers. We also petition the University, in conjunction with the Board of Regents of University System of Georgia, to allow for an appropriate, tasteful memorial to be located on the stadium grounds to honor their memory, and the memory of all law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in Sumter County, Georgia.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
December 15, 2016
December 15, 2016
Seeing this kind of momentum feels like a weight lifting off my shoulders because it proves that people still remember the sacrifice Nick and Jody made for all of us. I truly believe we are moving toward a future where their names will be honored on that field for generations to see.
December 14, 2016
I have been in touch with local officials to discuss the formal process for renaming the field and placing a memorial. Seeing the ongoing support reminds me every day why Nick and Jody deserve this permanent tribute in the town they loved.
December 14, 2016
Nicholas and Jody were inseparable as boys and colleagues, and seeing so many of you support this tribute to their legacy means the world to our families. We are approaching our one thousand signature milestone, so please send this link to those who still need to hear their story.
Reached 100 supporters
December 13, 2016
368 Comments
These men are our hometown heros! They are the definition loyalty, friendship, determination, and love. These men lives were cut incredibly to short, this is a way that we can honor them while keeping their memory alive and known to generations to come.
As a fellow law enforcement officer and former collegiate baseball player, I believe it is our duty as citizens of the fine state of Georgia to honor these fallen heroes via our University System of Georgia in any way possible.
I've lived here my whole life 45 years and we name things after others for far less reasons & I agree that since GSW is a very big part of Americus that the field should be renamed so that these 2 remain a big part of Americus also.
My Mom graduated from Georgia Southwestern 50 years ago from the nursing program. I think she would be very proud to see the field named after these two fine young men.
My baby girl loved Jody when she was going to GSW Pre-K program last year. When I told her he passed she started crying & asking me if we can home for his funeral since we moved over summer to Arkansas. I hated telling my baby girl no that we couldn't. She praying for all the family & friends of both officers.
By renaming this field in the fallen officers honour will, I feel, shown how much the community feels about this dreadful event - and will also help to heal rifts.
My father is a graduate of this school and is a part of the almuni board. I am a proud supporter of #backtheblue and I work everyday with our fine men and women that wear the badge and protect us. I will sign this petition proudly for the USG and State of Georgia to acknowledge Officer Smarr, Officer Smith, and all fallen officers along with the renaming of the Hurricane Baseball field. ---Signed
My grandmother was head dietician at this school in the 1970's. Now my daughter is about to graduate in May. This will always be my home.
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These men are our hometown heros! They are the definition loyalty, friendship, determination, and love. These men lives were cut incredibly to short, this is a way that we can honor them while keeping their memory alive and known to generations to come.