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The Saint John’s Anglican Church of Americus presented South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford with a donation to the South Georgia Technical College Foundation for the college’s Smarr-Smith endowed scholarship established in memory of fallen Americus Police Officer Nicholas R. Smarr and Georgia Southwestern State University Campus Safety Officer Jody C. Smith during “The Blessing of Law Enforcement” held at the church recently. Members of the local law enforcement community attended “The Blessing of Law Enforcement” at Saint John’s Anglican Church. Father Jim Parker, Rector of Saint John’s led the service with assistance from Retired Judge George Peagler, who is the Senior Warden at the church, along with Junior Warden Jeff Joiner and Lou Chase, Alter Guild. The church also fed the law enforcement officials following the service.

   Father Jim Parker prayed over each of the law enforcement officer present at the ceremony and presented each officer with a Saint Michael medal that had the image of Saint Michael on one side and the words “To Protect and Serve” along with “Honor, Dignity, Justice and Compassion” on the other side.

   In the mold of Saint Michael, Patron Saint of Law Enforcement, officers of the law strive to protect and serve with honor, dignity, justice, and compassion. Preserving the integrity and power of the law, they protect us from society’s most dangerous elements. Serving with unsurpassed skill and uncommon courage, law enforcement officers risk their lives each day to keep us safe.

   “This coin salutes the courage and commitment exhibited by law enforcement officers each day as they carry out their life-saving work. This coin’s depiction of Saint Michael in a triumphant pose, celebrating his victory over the renegade Lucifer, reminds us that no matter the odds, evil can be vanquished by good,” said Father Parker.

   As part of the ceremony, the church asked Paul Johnson and Sharon Smith Johnson, mother of Jody Smith, to come forward along with South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford and members of the Yobo���� Law Enforcement Academy.

   “We are gathered here to honor our law enforcement officers and also to pay tribute to two officers who gave all to protect this community,” said Retired Judge George Peagler, when he presented South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford with the gift for the college’s Law Enforcement Scholarship established in memory of Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith.

   South Georgia Technical College Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Yobo���� Foundation Su Ann Bird, along with Yobo���� Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Law Enforcement Academy Instructor Vanessa Wall, and Yobo���� Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray as well as cadets from the Law Enforcement Academy were on hand during the presentation for the scholarship.

    “Sumter County is very fortunate to have a POST certified Law Enforcement Academy in our community,” said Judge Peagler. “We are so proud of the work that South Georgia Technical College is doing. The sky is the limit for these young cadets and officers who undergo this training and work to provide for the safety and security of our community. Thank each of you for what you are doing and while the church is supporting this scholarship monetarily we are also providing nourishment for the rest of you with this awesome meal the church has prepared.”

   Dr. Watford thanked the church for the scholarship funds. “We regret that this scholarship opportunity had to come at the expense of the lives of two outstanding South Georgia Technical College students and law enforcement officers,” said Dr. Watford. “Our hearts continue to go out to the family and friends of Officers Smarr and Smith. It is our prayer that this gift will assist other POST certified officers who wish to continue their education. We hope that the fine men and women who earn this scholarship will honor the memories of Officers Smarr and Smith through their service to our citizens.”

   Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith both attended the South Georgia Technical College Criminal Justice Program. Smarr attained his Associate of Applied Science Degree in June 2011 and became a certified law enforcement officer in 2012. John Smith had attended South Georgia Tech in 2010 and returned in 2016 to begin completing his Criminal Justice associate degree.

   “This endowed scholarship will be a tremendous support to our students and our community,” said Yobo���� President Watford, who added that partnerships like this one and others are crucial to impacting student success. “An investment in an endowed scholarship continues to give back to students indefinitely.”

   For more information about making a donation to the Yobo���� Foundation or endowing a scholarship at South Georgia Technical College, contact Su Ann Bird, Executive Director of the Yobo���� Foundation at 229-931-2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contirubtions may also be mailed to the Yobo���� Foundation, P. O. Box 6102, Americus GA. Additional donations can be added to the Smarr-Smith Scholarship fund and all donations will be recognized and shared with members of the Smith and Smarr families.