MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF CURTIS LEE SMITH, JR.
WHEREAS, Curtis Lee Smith, Jr., esteemed police officer and beloved member of his community, has passed at the age of 62; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Curtis's passing by the Honorable Derrick G. Curtis, Alderman ofthe 18th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Curtis was born to the late Curtis Smith, Sr. and Flora McCarty Smith on November 17, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Cabrini Green as the protective big brother of his six younger siblings; and
WHEREAS, Curtis confessed Christ at an early age, and was united with Christian Love Ministry Baptist Church where he was baptized; and
WHEREAS, Curtis was educated in the Chicago Public School System, graduating from Wells High School in 1975; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, Curtis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps; during his four years in the Marine Corps, Curtis was stationed in California, where he trained and served as a firefighter, before being honorably discharged in 1980 and returning to Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Curtis met Sandra Brown in 1975 during his senior year of high school, and they continued to date while Curtis was bravely serving his country in the Marine Corps; and
WHEREAS, After returning home from service, Curtis and Sandra married on June 13, 1981, and their union was blessed with two beautiful children; and
WHEREAS, Curtis joined the Chicago Police Department in 1990, working in two districts before being assigned to District 22 where he spent the remainder of his career protecting lives and serving others on the streets of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his nearly 30-year career with CPD, Curtis received numerous commendations, which showed his exemplary service as a police officer, and was well known throughout the City of Chicago and beyond; and
WHEREAS, A superior role model and mentor, Curtis coached his son Brandon's little league team for many years, which allowed Curtis the opportunity to instill values into and set great examples for not only his son but the rest ofthe young boys on the team, building lifelong relationships with those boys who grew up to be positive, productive young men as a result of Curtis's influence; and
WHEREAS, Curtis was the go-to person regardless ofthe situation, and took pride in helping others and sharing everything he had, even with people he did not know or had never met; and
WHEREAS, Always willing to extend a helping hand, Curtis served his community by participating in the Wrightwood Improvement Organization and Cops for Kids; and
WHEREAS, Curtis loved all types of sports; he would challenge anyone to a game of pool in a heartbeat, and picked up a bowling ball several nights a week in different leagues; and
WHEREAS, Dearly admired and respected by all, no one was a stranger to Curtis; his positive influence and leadership in the community will not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, Curtis was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Lavette; he leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted wife of thirty-nine years, Sandra; his two children, Brandon Smith and Brittney Smith; his mother-in-law, Gloria Bradford; two sisters, his twin Myrdess (William) Jenkins, and Anturronette Smith; three brothers, Tony (Angela) Smith, Ronald Muhammad, and Lavelle Smith; two aunts, Christine Irving and Flossie Smith; his goddaughter, Alishia (Le-Le) Atkins; his godmother, Mrs. Seretha Robinson; his CPD partner of 6 years, 11 months, and 18 days, Monica Richardson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many, many dear friends; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this seventh day of October, 2020, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Curtis Lee Smith, Jr.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy ofthis resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Curtis Lee Smith, Jr. as a sign of bur honor and respect.
DERRICK G. CURTIS Alderman, 18th Ward