Wayne County Sgt. remembered as fierce, ultimate, and elite

DETROIT (WJBK) - A Wayne County Sheriff's Sgt. who was just a few months away from retirement was laid to rest in Detroit Thursday morning and was remembered as an elite member of law enforcement.

Motorcycles rolled in for a final farewell to Sgt. Lee Smith, the Wayne County Sheriff Sgt. who died last week in a hit and run. 

"He helped me become a better police officer," his friend and officer, Gregory Harris, said. "He was a fantastic human being. A fantastic human being."

Hundreds of people paid their final respects inside Detroit's Greater Grace Temple Thursday.

"Look at all the people here. I'm blown away by the stories I've heard. I'm blown away," his brother, John Smith said.

The 55-year-old man was out for a jog when he was killed by a hit-and-run driver along Hines Drive near Middle Belt Road in Westland. He was just months away from retirement. 

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"The guy had a heart that wouldn't fit in his chest. he loved his craft so much," said Wayne County Lt. Theodis Sims.

Whether on a motorcycle or on one of the horses he loved so much, Sgt Smith's passion for protecting his community was unparalleled.

"He has raised the bar so high that when I said there would never be another Lee, I meant that from the bottom of my heart," he said.

Sgt. Smith was on the job for 26 years and was remembered as being a fierce competitor, ultimate trainer and elite.