Arlington Police Officer Jillian Smith was lost in the line of duty on December 28, 2010.
Jillian Michelle Smith (1986-2010)
Jillian Michelle Smith was born on December 18, 1986, in Arlington. From a young age, she wanted to be a police officer.
Jillian graduated from Arlington’s Seguin High School in 2005. She received her bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from UTA in August 2009. Jillian joined the Arlington Police Department in February 2010 and graduated from the academy later that year. She had recently completed her field training when tragedy struck.
Officer Smith responded to a call from a woman who wanted to report an earlier domestic violence incident. The suspect, the woman’s estranged ex-boyfriend, had left the premises. He returned while Officer Smith was interviewing the victim. The man shot both women before turning the gun on himself. All three died. The woman’s 11-year-old daughter was also present, but Officer Smith heroically shielded her from harm and enabled her to escape.
The community held a candlelight vigil in Jillian’s honor. Her funeral was held at Mount Olive Baptist Church and filled with mourners—family, friends, church members, area police officers, and elected officials. Many more were present who couldn’t fit inside the church’s sanctuary. Burial occurred at Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington.
Throughout the police academy, Smith worked hard and impressed her training officers. She dreamed of becoming a police officer to protect and serve her community. The Arlington native was an all-American girl remembered for her bright and beautiful smile, cheery attitude, and determination to serve her community.
Officer Smith, age 24, was the eighth Arlington Police Officer lost in the line of duty—also the first and only woman. Tragically, she was the second lost in 2010, as Officer Craig Story died in a traffic accident in January. We remember their service to Arlington with gratitude.
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 12-28-24
Jason S. Sullivan 