CLARKSVILLE (KFSM)- People from across the country were in Clarksville Wednesday (May 27) to pay their respects to a Johnson County reserve deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty nearly two weeks ago.
There were police officers, deputies and troopers from nearly every county in the state. Some even came from as far as Chicago, New York, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. They lined the streets for reserve deputy Sonny Smith as a procession made its way to through downtown Clarksville to the high school where the memorial service was held.
"What made him special was he was a volunteer," Gina Wilins said. "He was an auxiliary officer that went above and beyond."
Deputy Smith was an 11-year veteran of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
“Sonny was here to protect the citizens of Johnson County and he did it for free." Johnson County Sheriff Larry Jones said. "He didn’t expect pay. And it takes a special kind of person to do that."
Those who knew him best said Smith was a family man who cared deeply about his community.
“Sonny was that man, that before Sonny did this, he put his family first and he asked if it’s okay if I go out,” Jones said.
According to investigators, May 15 was the last time Smith asked his family that question. He was responding to a burglary call near Clarksville when deputies said he was shot and killed by Fred Kauffeld.
The Johnson County prosecutor said he plans to file a capital murder charge against Kauffeld sometime next week. The suspect is being held without bond at the Pope County jail and will be arraigned in court July 10.