Services set for 1 of 2 officers killed in south Georgia

December 10, 2016 at 3:41 p.m. | Updated December 10, 2016 at 3:45 p.m.

by Associated Press

Hundreds braved the cold to attend a vigil to show their support for the families of Americus police officer Nicholas Smarr and Georgia Southwestern campus police officer Jody Smith Friday evening, Dec. 9, 2016, in Americus, Ga. Smarr, died after responding to a domestic disturbance call in a Wednesday morning attack. His lifelong friend, university campus Officer Jody Smith, was critically wounded after arriving on the scene as backup to Smarr, and later died from his injuries Thursday. (Beau Cabell/The Macon Telegraph via AP)
Hundreds braved the cold to attend a vigil to show their support for the families of Americus police officer Nicholas Smarr and Georgia Southwestern campus police officer Jody Smith Friday evening, Dec. 9, 2016, in Americus, Ga. Smarr, died after responding to a domestic disturbance call in a Wednesday morning attack. His lifelong friend, university campus Officer Jody Smith, was critically wounded after arriving on the scene as backup to Smarr, and later died from his injuries Thursday. (Beau Cabell/The Macon Telegraph via AP)

AMERICUS, Ga. (AP) - Funeral services for one of two south Georgia police officers killed in the line of duty are planned for Sunday.

Americus police officer Nicholas Ryan Smarr, 25, was responding to a domestic dispute Wednesday when he and Georgia Southwestern State University campus policeman Jody Smith were fired on.

The Macon Telegraph (http://bit.ly/2gmnxaC) reports Smarr's funeral is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Southwestern State University Storm Dome. Pastor Ricky Smarr and Americus Police Chief Mark Scott are officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Services are pending for Smith, 26, who was to be married in May.

Minquell Lembrick, 32, the suspect in the shootings, was found dead Thursday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Friends and family gathered Friday at Georgia Southwestern to remember the officers, who had been friends since fourth grade and shared an apartment in Sumter County.

"I have cried and cried and I know I'm going to cry and cry for a long time," Sharron Johnson said to about 200 people who'd gathered for a candle-light vigil for her son, Jody Smith, and Smarr. "But my baby, he's in heaven. He's whole and so is Nick. They were both super guys and they loved each other and they died together. They wouldn't have it any other way."

They were both shot after Smith went to back up Smarr at a domestic dispute call at an apartment complex just south of campus.

"This world is getting wicked, but we've just all got to all band together and love one another and just lift each other up," Johnson said through tears, The Macon Telegraph reports (http://bit.ly/2gwCr1n).

The vigil was organized by Johnny Moore, president of the Sigma Chi fraternity, to "try to show support for the families, to the local law enforcement and all the first responders here in town."

The fraternity, along with Kappa Sigma, gave the families each a $1,000 check.

Scott said the men's friendship "could never be taken from them and it will never die."

"They were bound to one another from youth all the way to the end," the chief said. "They know what community is about too, and they know what a fraternity is. They were part of another brotherhood, the brotherhood that wears a badge. The brotherhood that goes out and tries to make a difference in this world."

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This story has been corrected to fix spelling of Lembrick's first name.

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Information from: The Macon Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com

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