Sergeant Raymond Dean Smith, Jr. S-132
(1946-2024)
Ray was born April 29, 1946 in Covington to Raymond Dean and Marie Teresa (Reilly) Smith, Sr. He attended Western Hills High School and graduated in August 1966. He also attended Jones College for a year and Florida Community College at Jacksonville earning an associate degree. He eventually earned a master’s degree in criminal justice at Xavier University.
A month after graduating high school, Ray joined the United States Navy. After boot camp, he was assigned overseas in Europe doing damage control for three years. Damage Control Petty Officer Second Class Smith was honorably discharged February 6, 1970.
In January 1971, Ray joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol. He left 1¼ years later to go into business in Jacksonville, Florida. Two months later, his younger brother, Thomas D. Smith, joined the Cincinnati Police Division as a Police Cadet.
He then took a position as Patrolman at Florida Junior College at Jacksonville in April 1973. He was promoted to Sergeant eight months later and moved to the University of North Florida and held that position until August of 1979.
Ray returned home and, on March 2, 1980, was assigned to the 64th Cincinnati Police Academy as a Police Recruit. On September 14, 1980, he was promoted to Police Officer, issued Badge 212, and assigned to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). A year later, he was rotated to District 4 (4150 Reading Road). Five years later, Officer Smith transferred to District 2 (3295 Erie Avenue) and became their Crime Prevention Officer. While there, on April 14, 1991, he was promoted to Police Specialist and issued Badge PS-117. Later that year, his brother was promoted to Police Specialist.
On March 7, 1993, he was promoted to Police Sergeant, issued Badge S-132, and assigned back to District 3. Later that year, his brother was promoted to Sergeant. In 1994, he was rotated back to District 4. On May 10, 1995, Sergeant Smith received a Police Appreciation Award during Police Week for his Contributions to Law Enforcement. On May 8, 2000, he was honored with the Ohio Crime Prevention Association’s prestigious Michael Blankenship Member Service Award. On March 18, 2001, Sergeant Smith accepted a staff position in Planning Section. During his last nine years, he was assessed as “outstanding” on his annual performance evaluations.
Sergeant Smith retired on December 4, 2004, with almost 36 years of service to his country and communities and an incredible 73 letters of appreciation and/or commendation, including from Cincinnati Police Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs, City Manager, a Councilman, and Personnel Director, and Xavier University, scouting groups, schools, Forest Park Police Chief, and the Commanding Officer the United States Naval Reserve.
He then joined the staff of Blue Ridge Community College as a professor and served as such for fifteen years.
His brother, Sergeant Tom Smith, sums up his life: “He was a Tenured College Professor, an Eagle Scout, a Navy Vietnam Veteran, a retired Cincinnati Police Supervisor, a Past VFW and American Legion Commander, and he also sang alto bass at our home holiday gatherings.” He was also a Mason and a Kiwi for the Kiwanis Club.
Sergeant Smith died in his sleep on April 27, 2024, in Staunton, Virginia, two days before his 78th birthday.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Deana Marie Griffith. Sergeant Smith is survived by his wife, Beverly Clare (Steinert) Smith; daughters, Melia Sheri Wilson, Trisha Leigh Smith, Megan Lynn Smith, ang Genelle Alese Smith; grandchildren, Taylor, Reilly, Whitley, Logan, Bella, Leo, Josehine, Louise, Maya, and Maaz; a great-grandchild on the way; twin brothers, retired Cincinnati Police Sergeant Thomas D. Smith and retired Cincinnati Fire Lieutenant Timothy Smith; and sister, Nancy Smith.
A memorial service will be held 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the FOP #69 Lodge Hall, 1900 Central Parkway.
Memorials may be made to the Kentucky Colonels.
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