9/13/1937 to 7/22/2025 (End Of Watch)
— submitted by HPD Chief Marcus Barrow
Before answering the call to serve his community, Chief Smith answered the call to serve his country. He joined the United States Air Force in December of 1957, receiving an honorable discharged in 1961, and continuing in reserve duty until 1963.
A graduate of Henderson Institute, Class of 1957, Chief Melvin G. Smith began his historic and groundbreaking career with the Henderson Police Department on February 10, 1964, at the age of twenty-six. Chief Smith holds the distinguished and courageous honor of being the first African American police officer in the history of the Henderson Police Department.
Chief Smith swiftly rose through the ranks at the Henderson Police Department. On February 25, 1970, just six years into his service, he was promoted to Sergeant, where he led efforts in a variety of roles, including vice and narcotics investigations. His leadership and dedication were further recognized with a promotion to Lieutenant on April 14, 1976. Later that same year, on October 25, he was appointed to lead the Vice Detective Division. Continuing his upward trajectory, he was promoted to Captain on April 7, 1983, and on May 26, 1992, became the first person in the agency’s history to hold the rank of Major.
By 1995, after serving the City of Henderson for over three decades under seven different police chiefs, Melvin G. Smith was appointed Chief of Police on February 23, 1995. With this appointment, he made history once again as the first African American Chief of Police for the City of Henderson.
The words above offer only a glimpse into the life and legacy of Chief Smith. They do not begin to capture the full measure of the man, the leader, the educator, and the mentor he was, nor does it depict his greatest roles, husband and father. His personnel file is filled with commendations and praise from fellow officers, supervisors, and community members alike, but I’m positive there are plethora of accolades that never made it to his file. His resume reflects a deep commitment to continued education, training, and teaching, hallmarks of a man determined to share his knowledge with future generations.
To meet him was an honor, to have him as an instructor was a privilege, to work beside him must have been amazing. We all have our own stories and memories of Chief Smith, and I encourage everyone to share them. For me, I’ll always remember the two-tone blue and white Ford truck cruising through town, knowing that behind the wheel sat one of the greatest ever to wear the badge.
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Davis-Royster Funeral Service obituary link
