Videos: Police remember fallen Ohio officer, man plays Taps outside of HQ

Steven M. Smith was shot April 10 while responding to a call of a man who was barricaded in his home

April 19, 2016 03:09 PM

By Kelly Lecker
The Columbus Dispatch

COLUMBUS — Columbus Police live-streamed the funeral of SWAT Officer Steven M. Smith this morning.

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church holds 1,600 people, and there is an overflow area for 1,300 more. Still, as officers pour in from around the country, police expect the crowd to be too big for the church. People who can’t make it to the service can watch it on the city’s website. The service starts at 11 a.m.

The Rev. Leo Connolly and the Rev. Kevin Lutz lead today’s service. Speakers included Police Chief Kim Jacobs as well as a lieutenant and sergeant who worked with Smith, a 27-year police veteran.

Outside the church, drawings and signs made by St. Paul students are everywhere. Officers are arriving from as far away as Colorado.

Slide show: Officer Steven M. Smith’s funeral https://t.co/ecvSrSgbwt pic.twitter.com/ESuJqoHiyk
— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) April 19, 2016

Proud to stand w/ @ColumbusPolice to honor Officer Steven Smith, killed tragically in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/yO42BQ3nXy
— Brotherhood NYC (@bftfnyc) April 19, 2016

RIP @ColumbusPolice SWAT Officer Steven M. Smith. Thank you for your service to the people of @ColumbusGov. pic.twitter.com/rx4UofR7vq
— Mike McCarthy (@mikewsyx6) April 19, 2016

Beautiful pictures from today’s procession for fallen Officer Steven M. Smith More pix on our FB page. #CPD #police pic.twitter.com/QO8Ux203dl
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) April 15, 2016

Officer Steven M. Smith
Dec 3, 1961 – April 12, 2016 pic.twitter.com/WvHE7UFX5l
— 10TV.com (@10TV) April 19, 2016

Smith was shot April 10 while responding to a call of a man who was barricaded in his home. He died two days later.

Lincoln Rutledge, 44, is charged with aggravated murder in Smith’s death. An aggravated murder charge keeps the door open for prosecutors to pursue a death-penalty indictment, officials said.

Throughout the last week, the community has shown support for Smith and the police division with flowers, ribbons and more. A man pulled up outside police headquarters, played Taps on his bugle, and left. Well-wishers have been visiting the Columbus Police memorial. More than 30 people in Groveport tied blue ribbons to trees.