Herndon Police, Community Mourn Death Of Retired Captain

HERNDON, VA – The Herndon community is mourning the death of Retired Police Captain Darryl "Smitty" Smith, who was the first African American police officer hired by the town.

Smith began his career with the Herndon Police Department in April 1973 and served with the department until his retirement in 2004, the police department posted to its Twitter account on Monday.

Smith was the first African American member of the Town Council, elected in 2004, and served as the Vice Mayor from 2004-2006.

After his retirement from the Hernon Police Department, Smith served as the chief of the Purcellville Police Department for nine years.

"Darryl spent much of his life as a highly-respected law enforcement professional in service to the Herndon community before moving on to Purcellville," said Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard in a prepared statement. "He will be forever remembered for his huge heart, compassionate nature and sincere commitment to improving the lives of our youth in town."