On a dark March morning in 1995, Birmingham Police Officer Randall Versie Smith, a U.S. Army veteran with eight years on the force, entered an Ensley residence to rescue a small child during a dangerous domestic disturbance. As he exited carrying the child, he collided with Sgt. Ronnie Hull entering the home; Hull’s firearm inadvertently discharged and a single round struck the 63-year-old officer in the head.

The wound put Smith in a coma for weeks, required hours of surgery and at least 49 more operations over the following years, and left him partially deaf, legally blind and permanently disabled. He took medical retirement in 1996 and spent more than 25 years coping with seizures, impaired mobility and the challenge of relearning to walk, talk and think.

Smith died December 28, 2020, after a fall at his Vestavia Hills home; authorities determined the fall stemmed from complications of the 1995 gunshot injury and ruled his passing a line-of-duty death. The original shooting was investigated and classified as a tragic accident; no suspects or arrests were made.

Did anyone who knew Officer Smith or his family have memories or details to share about his life and service?