In the waning days of 2018, the community of McDonough, Georgia, mourned the loss of one of its own, 33-year-old Michael Wayne Smith. A seven-year veteran of the Henry County Police Department, Smith was a man described by those who knew him as selfless, humble, and dedicated to his dual roles of protecting his family and the citizens he served. His life was tragically cut short following a violent encounter in the line of duty.
The fatal incident began on the morning of December 6, 2018, when Officer Smith responded to a call about a disturbance at a local dentist's office on Jonesboro Road. There, he encountered 53-year-old Dimaggio McNelly, who was reportedly acting erratically. When Smith attempted to de-escalate the situation, McNelly became combative. Smith deployed his Taser, but it proved ineffective in subduing the man. A physical struggle ensued, during which McNelly attempted to take Officer Smith's service weapon. In the midst of their struggle, the handgun discharged a single round. That bullet struck and killed McNelly at the scene and then struck Officer Smith in the face.
Smith was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery and was later transferred to Piedmont Hospital for rehabilitation. For three weeks, the community held onto hope for the officer's recovery, a period during which he celebrated his 33rd birthday. However, due to complications from his injuries, Officer Michael Wayne Smith died on December 28, 2018. He was remembered not only as a dedicated police officer but also as a loving husband and father to a young son. The man responsible for his death, Dimaggio McNelly, was killed by the same bullet that ultimately proved fatal to Officer Smith.
