Police Officers Killed in Americus: Funeral Details for Nick Smarr

AMERICUS, GA — A funeral service will take place Sunday afternoon at Georgia Southwestern State University for one of the two police officers who was shot to death this week in responding to a domestic disturbance.

The service for Nicholas “Nick” Ryan Smarr, 25, of Americus is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Storm Dome, the university's basketball arena, according to the Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel, which is arranging the event.

Smarr, an officer with the Americus Police Department, and Jody Smith, an officer with the university's police department, responded Wednesday to the disturbance at an apartment complex near the school. When they arrived, police say that Minguell Kennedy Lembrick, 32, opened fire and struck both officers.

Smarr died Wednesday at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. Smith was flown to a local trauma center, where he died Thursday.

Lembrick died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Thursday morning after a standoff outside his Americus home, authorities said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Smarr and Smith were described by fellow police officers as being good friends who had each other's backs, right up until their final moments. They are the 136th and 137th officers killed in the line of duty across the country this year, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Smarr served in the Americus Police Department for a little more than a year and had worked for the Telfair and Sumter County sheriff departments and the Vienna Police Department. A native of Americus, he loved watching movies, the Atlanta Falcons and enjoyed outdoor activities and being with his friends.

At Sunday's funeral service, Pastor Ricky Smarr and Police Chief Mark Scott will be officiating, and pallbearers will include the Americus Police Department's Honor Guard. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Nick Smarr Trust Fund at Sumter Bank & Trust. For more information, please click here.

Survivors include his mother, Janice Smarr of Americus; his father and stepmother, Danny and Sherry Smarr of Americus; his loving girlfriend, Rachel Harrod of Americus; a paternal grandmother, Ruth Wilson of Americus; two sisters, Chesley Smarr and Tiffany Smarr, both of Americus; a brother, Cameron Smarr of Americus; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and some special friends: Josh Roberts, Matt McKinzie, Tyler Daniel, Matt Wilson, Jordan Resnick, William Tatum, Nick Pitts, Chris Gaddy, Doc Belflowers, Sam Young, Jett Coptsias and Jody Smith. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Linda Waters.