Henry County officer laid to rest

MCDONOUGH, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Friends, family and a caravan representing different law enforcement agencies across the state of Georgia packed pews inside Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough Thursday to honor, celebrate, remember, and bid farewell to Henry County Police Officer Michael Smith.

App users: View full article here

Smith died Friday at Piedmont Hospital where he had been since being injured in a shooting last month during a struggle with a suspect. He was shot in the face Dec. 6 while responding to a call about a man acting erratically at a dental office near McDonough.

Only one shot was fired during the struggle, police said, which struck both 53-year-old Dimaggio McNelly and Officer Smith.

Pastor Seth Hoover had known the Smiths and was at the hospital during the last few weeks. He said it came as a shock because Officer Smith was improving.

Smith had been on the force since 2011. On Thursday, his police chief broke down when talking about the young officer and his ultimate sacrifice.

Following the afternoon service, a procession took place around McDonough Square.

RELATED: Family, law enforcement pay respects to slain Henry County officer