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Wayne County Sheriff's Sgt. Lee Smith laid to rest after funeral at Greater Grace Temple

Posted at 5:32 PM, Aug 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-23 17:32:42-04

Family, friends and the community paid their final respects to a Wayne County Sheriff's sergeant killed in a hit-and-run crash.

Hundreds came to Sergeant Lee Smith’s funeral Thursday at Greater Grace Temple.

Sgt. Smith’s fellow law enforcement officers and family spoke at his service sharing funny and touching memories of him.

“He has put a stamp on this department,” said Lt. Theodis Sims. “He has raised the bar so high that when I say there will never be another Lee, I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

“We backed each other daily and referred to ourselves as double trouble,” Sgt. Rachael Davis said. 

“He changed a lot of people in so many ways that many of you know if not all of you. Every single one of us in this room and outside of this room are better people for having known Lee Smith,” Sgt. Ben Wolfe with the McHenry County Conservation District. 

Earlier this month, Sgt. Smith was jogging off-duty on Hines Drive in Westland when he was hit by a driver in an SUV. Police say the driver sped off after striking him.

Desmond Robinson, 47, has been charged in the crime. He is accused of reckless driving, failure to stop at an injury accident scene and tampering with evidence.

Sgt. Smith had just turned his paperwork in to retire after being a deputy for nearly three decades.