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A fallen Tri-Valley policeman has been commemorated along the front door of his hometown.
The state renamed the section of Interstate 680 between Bollinger Canyon and Crow Canyon in San Ramon in honor of BART Police Det. Sgt. Thomas “Tommy” Smith Jr., who was the first BART officer to die in the line of duty when he was mistakenly shot by a fellow detective while serving a search warrant in the apartment of a person arrested in Dublin in 2014.
“Tommy’s death really shocked our community,†said MP Catharine Baker, who led the legislation to commemorate Smith along I-680. “I think this memorial highway is a very fitting way to honor someone who served us and tried to keep our community safe.”
The “Detective Sergeant Thomas A. Smith Jr. Memorial Highway” signs, which were paid for through private donations, were unveiled at a ceremony last week attended by Smith’s family, friends and colleagues. .
The locations of the signs, just in front of each exit ramp on Bollinger Canyon Road, were inspired by Smith’s daughter Summer, who noticed that these ramps were labeled as Exit # 34 – the same as the badge number worn by his late father.
“I am grateful to MP Baker for making the summer dream come true… Her father will never be forgotten, and the sign will make us smile every time we get home,” said Widow Kellie Smith. from Det. Sgt. Smith and herself a longtime former BART constable.
Current BART Police Chief Carlos Rojas also attended the ceremony last week, saying: “We are grateful to MP Baker for making the memorial highway a reality.”
“Tommy has spent his entire career in law enforcement at BART, working to ensure a safe and secure environment for our passengers and employees,†Rojas added. “The fact that this portion of Highway 680 is named in his honor is a tribute to his service to the community and his commitment to his family.”
Smith’s friendly fire death was a turning point in BART police training and search procedures.
A 23-year BART veteran, Smith led a team of eight police officers raiding the Dublin home of a man in custody suspected of theft on January 21, 2014.
The officers moved to different parts of the apartment, and around a corner, Det. Michael Maes mistook an undercover Smith for an armed suspect and fired a single shot – and ultimately fatal – that struck Smith in the chest. Smith was 42 years old.
In addition to the policy changes for the BART police, the agency also settled a wrongful death lawsuit in the Smith family case for $ 3.1 million and no confession of fault.
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