Michael Wayne Smith was a 33-year-old Henry County police officer who died from complications of wounds sustained on December 6, 2018. He responded that morning to a disturbance at a dentist’s office on Jonesboro Road in McDonough, where he encountered 53-year-old Dimaggio McNelly, described as acting erratically. During an attempt to de-escalate the situation, a struggle followed after McNelly became combative and a Taser proved ineffective. McNelly reportedly tried to take Officer Smith’s service weapon; the handgun discharged once, striking and killing McNelly at the scene and also striking Smith in the face.

Officer Smith underwent emergency surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital and was later transferred to Piedmont Hospital for rehabilitation. He celebrated his 33rd birthday while hospitalized but died on December 28, 2018, from complications of his injuries. He was remembered as a husband and father to a young son. Does anyone have reliable information about the incident or knew Officer Smith or his family?