KPIX 5 Exclusive: Slain BART Officer's Widow, Family Speak Out
SAN RAMON (CBS SF) - The widow and family members of slain Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Sgt. Tommy Smith spoke out publicly for the first time Wednesday afternoon following word of his death.
"If you're lucky to find the love of your life, you hold onto it. I did. I cherished every moment we had," said Kellie Smith.
Kellie Smith was joined by Tommy Smith's brothers Patrick and Ed as well as his brother-in-law Todd Shaheen for an interview from the Smith's San Ramon home Wednesday.
Kellie Smith is a canine officer with BART Police and was working when she received the news of her husband's death in an accidental shooting by a fellow officer while both search for evidence in a probation check at a Dublin apartment. Smith acknowledged the grief her husband's partner must be feeling.
"Not only my family is out here grieving ... his family ... there's another officer's family out that's out there grieving," she said. " So, I just hope that the community respects everybody's grief and supports everybody involved."
The sentiment was echoed by Tommy Smith's brother, Patrick, a field training officer for the Newark Police Department.
"Your heart goes out to that officer, said Patrick Smith. "We're going to mourn the loss of our brother ... but there's someone else and another family affected by this, too. And I feel sorry for them."
Oldest brother Ed works for the Alameda County Sheriff's Department and said the support from the law enforcement community has made a difference. "It's hard. It's really hard. But ... a lot of support, which helps. The police community is incredible."
"You don't expect to bury your brother," said Patrick Smith. "You expect to bury your grandparents. Not your little brother."
