COLUMBUS, Ohio — On a difficult anniversary, those in Columbus and throughout the country are reminded of the courage law enforcement officers display each day.
Monday marks five years since the death of Officer Steve Smith, who was shot during a standoff in Clintonville on April 12.
On that day, Smith was part of the SWAT unit serving a warrant to arrest Lincoln Rutledge. After several hours, Rutledge fired multiple shots, one of which struck Smith. He died two days later, leaving a grieving family behind.
Smith’s funeral showed just how respected the 27-year veteran was. Law enforcement traveled to Ohio from around the country to pay tribute.
Five years after his death, Smith’s name -- along with dozens of other fallen officers -- shines proudly at the police memorial in Columbus.
“After all these years, I’ve learned that I have to earn this every day,” said Sergeant Joe Pedolski, upon seeing the memorial.
"He loved his job but he also loved his family," Smith’s wife Lisa said in 2017.
That same year, their son, Jesse Smith, graduated from the Columbus Division of Police. During the ceremony, Jesse was given his father’s badge.
At the time, he said it was an overwhelming sense of honor to become an officer, adding, “This is my opportunity to step in and carry on that legacy.”
Rutledge is in jail serving a life sentence.