Police Officer Richard W. Smith, Jr.

Officer Smith, I'm sorry for what happened to you and your partner 20 years ago, as it should've never happened, and that the man who took your lives was and still is a truly sick individual. For one, the man who took your lives was a lost cause, since he clearly never learned in life on having self control, and judging by the looks of it there was no redeeming him. He not only took away your life and Officer King's, he took away 3 other people as well, and if that doesnt describe how evil and unhinged he was, im not sure what will, but rest assured, he's been caught and permanently sealed away from society. But honestly, I think he should've been put down before he even had the chance to do what he did on that day, since he was a dog that needed to be put down beforehand. I've seen plenty of dogs who've been put down, and that man is one of them. He didnt just take away a police officer, but he took away a Husband, a father, a son, a friend, and a hero to the public who was fresh from retirement. Speaking of which, i learned that you and King had both been retired for a short while until returning back to the job, which tells me how much you both loved your career as a police officer and was highly dedicated to doing your part. To spend not only your time in retirement after being in the game for so long, but to come back to it says how brave and dedicated you were. You spent over 20 years of your life as a police officer in the grand state of New Mexico, where alot of crime and stuff goes on, especially in the city of Albuquerque, which im sure at the time you already knew the drill and weren't effected by the crime rate and people there, and you weren't shaken at all. From what I read in the reflections, is that your daughter became a police officer herself with the same PD you worked for, aka APD. To know that your daughter has followed your footsteps and carried on your legacy says alot, and that means that when others encounter your daughter on the job and learn that you were her father, they'll see you shine through her, knowing she got it from you. Although its been well over 20 years and I personally don't live in New Mexico, I know how dangerous it is over there, but im sure that with you and King's sacrifices on that day, it serves as a reminder for others to know that good men and officers like you both have roamed the streets of Albuquerque and have made the city safer, even if by a small portion of it. But im sure that with your 20 years on your belt, that means that you pushed the safety of the city upwards and have made people feel safe and protected knowing that they could go home with officers like you ready to step in and help, even if that means you're fresh on the job again after coming back from retirement. In cases like these where an individual murders other individuals, and when confronted by police and attempt to stop him, that individual in return takes the officers down with him. Sometimes you have to ask yourself why? Why did he do what he did that day? What was going through his mind in that moment where he felt it was right? Judging by the looks of it, we'll probably never know since that man is gone from society, as he should be. It's odd to think that man is so far gone that even now, he's still incompetent to stand trial. You would think that fast forward nearly 20 years later he would have a sense of change and growth, but as it turns out, he never got that and instead stuck with what he had. Overall, we know that man will probably never be competent to stand trial, since he let himself go to the point that he's unable to explain why he did what he did, considering he was filled with so much sin and hatred that he took it all out on those unsuspecting people and you both, but we know that when judgment day comes for him, only God can decide what to do with him, but we probably already know where he will be going once he finally passes. Although I dont personally condone death on others, I know that with a man like him, he should've been put down the moment he took those people's lives. I think that despite all this, it won't ever change the fact you were one of the well-known and decorated officers within APD, and to top it off, your daughter is now carrying your legacy and continuing where you left off, as it was unfortunately put on pause because of a worthless scumbag who already set himself up for failure. I'd like to believe that you're up with Officer King, and you're now one of God's soldiers in heaven serving alongside King. I believe that as of now, as long as your name is said and you're remembered, you aren't truly dead as you live on in the hearts and minds of others, along with the fact that you're the guardian angel of your daughter, who just like you did, is now on the same streets you were on, and you're ensuring that she does not have the same fate you like did as you protect and watch her in spirit. As of now, may you rest in peace knowing that your 22 years is forever appreciated, and that the people of New Mexico and Albuquerque know that you once protected them during your time alive, and that they can keep you in their thoughts even if they never knew you or met you. Rest Easy Mr. Smith.

Morgan, a civilian supporter of the blue line

August 27, 2025