LTC 050-2018 2018 Florida Law enforcement Officer's Hall of FameOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 050-2018
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: February 6, 2018
SUBJECT: 2018 Florida Law Enforcem
LETTER TO COMMISSION
e City Co /mission
nt Officer's Hall of Fame
This Letter to the Mayor and City Commission is to announce that Governor Scott and
the Florida Cabinet confirmed the nominations for the 2018 Florida Law Enforcement
Officer's Hall of Fame. The inductees include the Miami Beach Police Department's
Major James W. Smith. The induction ceremony will be held on May 19, 2018 at 2:30pm
at the Capital in Tallahassee FL. The Florida Law Enforcement Officers' Hall of Fame
was created to honor contributions made to the State of Florida by these exceptional
individuals.
Major James W. Smith was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Starke, Florida. He played semi-
professional baseball for a Brooklyn Dodgers affiliate, delivered furniture and worked as
a guard at the Miami stockade before becoming the Miami Beach Police Department's
first African American police officer in 1964. Officer James Smith was promoted to the
rank of Sergeant in 1971, became a Lieutenant in 1975, and a Captain in 1988. He was
promoted to the rank of Major in 1989 and retired as the Patrol Major in 1990.
Major James Smith passed away on January 31, 2017 at the age of 87. The Community
Room in the first floor of the police station was formally dedicated to Major James W.
Smith on May 24, 2017.
The Miami Beach Police Department is honored to have the legacy of Major James W.
Smith's commitment to the City of Miami Beach and his unselfish dedication as a law
enforcement professional included in this prestigious recognition.
JLM:DJO:tr