01/17/2026
๐๐ป ๐ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐บ โ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ๐น โ๐ฆ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐โ ๐ฆ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ต
๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ ๐๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ถ๐ณ ๐๐ธ๐ฏ
It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that we mourn the passing of our cherished union sibling, Detective Sergeant Daniel โSmittyโ Smith, after a battle with cancer.
Sergeant Smith was a devoted law enforcement professional, a proud AFSCME member, a beloved colleague, and a cherished friend. At just 42 years old, Dan was taken from us far too soon, and the community he served with distinction mourns his loss.
Dan dedicated 19 years of his life to the Middletown Police Department, answering the call to public service with courage, compassion, and unwavering integrity. Throughout his career, he distinguished himself not only by his accomplishments but by the way he carried himselfโwith humility, kindness, and a genuine commitment to helping others.
From the very beginning of his career, Dan embodied the highest ideals of policing. As a member of the Special Investigations Unit, he worked tirelessly to bring justice and protection to those most vulnerableโvictims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. These cases demand patience, empathy, and moral strength, and Dan brought all three to every investigation. His dedication to these difficult and sensitive investigations spoke volumes about his character and his belief in the dignity of every person.
Throughout his career, Dan served in multiple roles, including patrol supervisor and fire investigator with the Arson Unit. In each assignment, he earned the trust of his peers through his calm leadership, sound judgment, and willingness to shoulder responsibility without hesitation.
Beyond his badge, Dan was a devoted father to his 9-year-old son and a family man. In this time of sorrow, our hearts are with his loved ones as they endure this terrible loss.
As a union, we stand united in grief and gratitude. We stand shoulder to shoulder in honoring a man who embodied the values we strive to uphold every day. We will remember Dan not only for the badge he wore, but for his character. Dan was more than a detective; he was a mentor and a leaderโsomeone who made a lasting impact on the lives of his peers and the community. He exemplified the spirit of public service. His watch may have ended, but his impact endures.
๐๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ, ๐๐ง๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ง.
๐๐ค๐ช ๐จ๐๐ง๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐ค๐ง.
๐๐ค๐ช ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐ฃ๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ง๐๐ค๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ.
