Oliver Smith is a native Washingtonian and was educated in the public schools of Washington DC. Oliver retired in 2002 after over 35 years in the telecommunication field from Avaya as a technical design sales engineer in support of the United States Federal Government in both Civilian and Military. He currently resides in Cheverly, MD with his wife of over 20 years.
On February 26, 1997, Officer Oliver W. Smith Jr., was shot execution style and killed outside of his home in Forestville, Maryland, during a robbery attempt. Officer Smith was returning home from his shift in civilian clothes when three suspects approached him as he was exiting his vehicle. During the robbery they searched him and found his duty weapon and badge. They shot him three times in the back of his head. Oliver Smith Jr., had been a member of the Metropolitan Police Department's (MPD) 2nd District in Washington D.C. for two and half years.
Since the murder of his son on that tragic night in 1997, he has dedicated his life to bringing awareness to the public, police agencies and the judicial system about victimization issues.
Oliver Smith sr., is one of the founding members of the Washington, DC Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) chartered in 1998 where he has served as President, Vice President and currently the Parliamentarian. The COPS organization provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. He currently serves on the National COPS planning committee for National Police Week.
He is an active member of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center, Inc. (MCVRC). As a member of the MCVRC he has testified on Capitol Hill as well as before the State Senate Committee on Resolution 884 (Truth in Sentencing and reconsideration of sentences).
His passions for public awareness of victims lead him to create the Memorial Wall of Remembrance. Since its inception in 2000 he has carved over 2,100 names on the glass Memorial Wall of Remembrance. Each year a replica is displayed during National Victims Week at the Annual Maryland Statewide Memorial Service. He is a recipient of the Governor’s Victim Assistance Award.
Oliver has served on the Prince George’s County Md. Police Chief’s Advisory Board. He is currently an active member of the Prince George’s Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, an active alumni member of the Roper Victim Assistance Academy of Maryland and a member of “Fight Crime Invest in Kids.”
