- April 28, 2026
After 30 years with the Ormond Beach Police Department, Capt. DW Smith was expecting to go out to the sound of friendly roasts during his retirement ceremony on Tuesday, April 28.
Instead, he received heartfelt sentiments of gratitude from his fellow officers.
"To be a police officer is to choose a life of responsibility," Evidence Crime Scene Supervisor Victoria Lancaster said. "It means showing up when people need you most, making difficult decisions and serving the community with courage and professionalism. Capt. Smith has done that throughout his career, and has done it in a way that has earned him the respect he has."
Smith, who was born and raised in Ormond Beach, started working as a community service officer for OBPD in 1996. He became a sworn police officer in 1998 after graduating from Daytona Beach Community College's Law Enforcement Academy. But his involvement with law enforcement started a decade prior, when he became a police explorer at 13 years old in 1989.
Through his three decades with OBPD, Smith worked in almost every department and rose through the ranks to become captain in 2018. The shadowbox containing his patches and medals was longer than the width of the table it sat upon.
"This is not just a retirement of a police captain, but the celebration of a career defined by commitment, courage and integrity," Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said.
The chief said Smith has been "a mentor, a friend and inspiration" to many in the department and that his leadership has been instrumental in shaping OBPD.
Smith's colleagues agreed.
"In this profession, people often talk about individuals being a staple," Sgt. Josh DeLong said. "... DW isn't just a staple. He's the kind of presence that holds everything together, upright and steady."
Smith's retirement comes at a time of loss for OBPD, something he acknowledged during his speech at his retirement ceremony.
Last week, records clerk Kathleen Nowell died after a medical emergency. Then, on April 24, former OBPD division chief Mark Walker died.
For Smith, Walker was the supervisor who helped shape him into the officer he is today.
"Everything you said about me I can say about Mark," Smith said.
During his speech, Smith reminisced about memorable calls, praised his lieutenants and said he was proud of all of the officers.
"If you respect this job, if you respect this community, if you respect this line of work, it'll in return have respect to you, no matter what," Smith said.
