Watch: Lt. Michael Smith’s Retirement Party
This past Saturday evening, friends, family, citizens, and fellow cops held a retirement bash for Lt. Michael Smith. The event was held at the Reagan Building. The man worked the beat for nearly 30 years. The invite read:
"In honor of Lt. Smith's retirement to a warmer and sunnier climate, scuba diving, and his wife's fondness for the occasional fruity umbrella-laden beverage, we're having a tropical themed retierment party... so don your favorite hawaiian shirt or tropical gear and prepare for a night of dancing, food, friends, and fun - all to celebrate our one and only Lt. Smith!"
The man was one of the hardest working cops we knew. The least we could have done was not be so snobby and accept this theme and put on a tropical shirt. Unfortunately, apologies to the organizers, we do not own any beach wear. Thankfully we were allowed to attend the event, and mingle with a District Court judge (!), police officials, an ANC Commissioner, and a retired police chief (!), among others.
Lt. Smith has long been a fixture in Columbia Heights, Shaw and other neighborhoods. He lived where he patrolled. Most residents know he did very little outside his police duties (except for tons of charity work).
Smith seemed to us like a human perp vacuum. He was also a good source. He was always available for advice on a story and to offer a sweet tip or three. We wrote about him/detail his exploits/or quote him expert-style here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here.... well, you get the idea. The stories date from 1995 to the present. He became more of a fixture in our lives and the lives of residents when he got a cellphone and a laptop. He was terrific on e-mail; residents talk a lot about calling his cell before they'd get around to calling 911.
How many cops are more reliable than 911?
Smith says he has broken too many bones to count. He's also broken a rule or three. He was no friend to cop brass. I recall interviewing a now-retired detective who told me that at one point he made it his mission to fire Lt. Smith.
Of course, Smith prevailed. He was greeted Saturday night by a room full of grateful citizens and some Jimmy Buffett. Not a terrible way to go out.
Asst. Chief Diane Groomes was on hand to give the man a few plaques. His disciplinary file has now become legendary.
We filmed some of the pomp and managed to get Lt. Smith on record one last time. Watch:
Trouble viewing? Try the YouTube version.
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1:57 pm
I have disowned this person formerly supposed to be my father but never did anything for me. Only ever did any for himself. This person used me to get out of his 1st 2 marriages doing everything from taking me on dates with his mistress in the 1st marriage so I would talk to my mother about it (I was only a small child), to accusing me of molesting my step sister based on evidence he put in my room while I was away for my step mother to find while cleaning my room one day, only after he found his now wife colleen whom was his mistress during his 2nd marriage. He was a corrupt cop corrupt father & corrupt husband to 2 of his wives. I would like to congratulate the MPD on finally getting such a person off of their payroll. If they never hired him they would have been able to save over 17 million in legal fees against him.
10:57 am
If this is an attempt at humor, it is in very poor taste. The testimonies given at Lt. Michael Smith’s retirement party spoke of a man of courage, compassion, and caring. I have had the pleasure of knowing Michael and Colleen for over a decade. They are my dear friends. I also have known Mike, Jr. for nearly as long, and know him to be gentle, and sensitive. Watching the two of them together over the years, I saw only love and respect for one another Michael Smith has been proud of his son’s accomplishments. I remember how happy and proud he was when Mike graduated from high school and from the Marines. The man couldn’t have stood any taller! Lt. Michael Smith was and always will be one of the good guys. He is man I will always admire and a friend I will always cherish.
3:25 pm
I'm married to Lt. Smith's former son, and Joyce, this is no joke. If Lt. Smith were so proud of Mike, why couldn't he get him to graduation on time? Ask him to tell you that story.
I'm glad that Lt. Smith has you as a friend, but truth be told, this man abused my husband so heinously, and inflicted such irreparable damage on Mike's soul that they will never see each other again. I suspect that you have no idea what kind of father and husband Lt. Smith was behind closed doors because he's so good at holding his hero persona. Colleen is a mistress from his second marriage to Fran, did you know that? He took Mike out on dates when cheating on his mother Janet, with a woman named Janice, did you know that? He beat Mike and left him padlocked in a windowless room "because that's God's punishment for bad kids" did you know that? He posed as an investigating police officer to interrogate Mike's friends, family, extended family, and even my own father's boss to get information about Mike after he was disowned. Did you know that? There are many facets to Lt. Smith and be thankful that you got to see the good side.
3:59 pm
It has been a long time coming, (13 years), but it is finally here. Michael and I have retired. The party was amazing and I can't thank the people in attendance enough. I will also never be able to thank the people who went above and beyond to help me plan the party, and do all of the behind the scenes work to make it such a wonderful event.
I woke this morning with a list of things that need to be done, and was getting ready to go out when I noticed that something was wrong with Michael. I asked him what was up, and he had me read the entry from Mike (formerly Jr). My first reaction was anger, then frustration, then sadness. Anger that he would deliberately try to hurt his father; frustration over not understanding where the hatred comes from; sadness for not knowing how to reach out and resolve the issues.
I would like to set the record straight. Mike (formerly Jr) was kicked out of his second home by his stepmother. Michael left his second wife to take care of his son. He left his second wife because he loves his son more than anything/anyone on this earth. I did not meet Michael until after he had separated from Fran.
Mike (formerly Jr) is a good person, with a good heart. We love him, and bear him no ill-will and wish him, his wife, and his daughter only the best.
Again, we appreciate the good will and good wishes from those who served with him, and those whom he served.
4:11 pm
Joyce I am sorry you saw things as that but thats not how they were. My youtube site is the only site that I kept. My wife & I quit all of our other blogs & sites because Colleen & that LT was stalking & harrasing us & still are. My youtube site is http://www.youtube.com/Infortunium.
As for "The testimonies given" these people obviously don't know the dirtbag the way I did. I know his true face & it is very distorted, twisted, & manipulative.
I still got the hole in my nose from when your dog bit me (her name was molly if I remember correctly), yes I am the real thing & not a joke. I know you are a good person so just think about the things that happened in the past between you and them & then tell me from a third persons view how you saw it. You can contact me through my youtube.
I hope this is Joyce & not someone posing as her, because we have had problems with a certain two people posing as different people to get information about us.
1:07 am
I am so proud of my brother, Mike, who has been one of the finest examples of an officer, friend, and, yes, father. I witnessed Mike, caring for his son when his wife, who unfortunately was unable to properly care for him. Then, a second wife who was a threat to Mike,Jr, due to Jr.’s disruptive behavior problems in many schools and consistently in the home. Mike left with his son, leaving everything behind for the sake of JR. Jr. has nothing to stalk for, and Mike has paid for bills and only done the most parenting and worrying he can for his son. I am saddened and ashamed that JR. has attempted to air his distorted grievances on this web site and his immature way to disrespect his father on such a wonderful day to a father who gave up everything for him. I am personally so happy and grateful to God that my brother is alive and not on the wall of deceased officers and no one is bike riding for him next year as a fallen comrade in the Bike Tour from VA. For this I am thankful to all the officers that have backed him in the streets of D.C.
I apologize to the public for his son’s (whom I love very much) distasteful display of airing in the wrong place his inaccurate memories which are confused due to his very young age at the time. Life is Fragile. Handle with Prayer.
10:14 am
I can only say that Mike has done nothing but good things for the entire "Noyce" family and we are thankful and proud of him! We wish you well Mike and Colleen and I would like to thank you for all that you have done for our family.
12:06 am
Mike Smith is one of the most generous and thoughful men I have ever know. He will go out of his way to help friend or family. ONe time a very old friend had fallen down the stairs and broken her hip. Did she call 911? Nope this 88 year old lady called Mike. Even though he lived some distance away he was there in no time to help. Another more personal story. A great aunt of Mikes had died and left me in debt to bury her. In a quite large family only two people offered to help with expenses Mike is the one who put a large check in my hand. The most recent story that touches my heart..my Mom died..Mikes Aunt. his Grandmothers sister. Mike arranged an escort from Eastport all the way to Arlington without a hitch. It was a perfect send off and will never be forgotten by the family. No doubt people are still wondering who was in the hearse quite a parade. We love you Mike and your "dry" humor. You and Colleen enjoy your retirement You have earned it...
6:04 pm
Hey Mike, Jr. Please contact me about your father. We need to talk. grazingbull@gmail.com
12:22 pm
Lt. Mike Smith is a fine man that has set an example of how life is very precious no matter what happens to you, i.e. how cold or how sick you are, he will get up from bed and drive miles and miles and pay for himself to get a heater for you before he goes to work. He will take you to a surgery room and wait to hear to take you home when you are out from OR, when no one on earth is around to help. There will be no one like him, never, ever.
16th and Q Streets NW
Washington DC 20036