Local golf tournament benefits Americus victims

ALBANY — Gary Hilton wanted to do more.

After speaking with a handful of friends one night in Americus after the tragic shooting deaths of Americus police officer Nicholas Smarr and Georgia Southwestern police officer Jody Smith last month, Hilton wanted to put a plan into action.

“We were chatting and wanted to do more,” Hilton said. “So we put together a golf tournament to benefit the families on short notice.”

Hilton, the Albany State University golf coach, as well as a wealth of volunteers organized the Back the Blue SWGA Golf Tournament Monday afternoon at the Doublegate Country Club. More than 25 teams and around 90 golfers played in the tournament.

The longtime Darton State College coach, organizing the event on his own time, wanted the praise to go to the participants whom he said raised money for an excellent cause. And he thanked the community for their support and their prayers.

“We teamed up with the Wakefest Organization, a local charity foundation and put the word out,” Hilton said. “And we put on a fund-raiser to benefit the officer’s families. We had an amazing turnout.”

Smarr and Smith were responding to a domestic dispute on Dec. 7 in Americus when Minquell Kennedy Lembrick fatally shot Smarr. Smith, who was also shot and initially had to be airlifted in critical condition, later died.

Lembrick was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound according to police reports.

Both Smarr and Smith had been officers since 2012. The officers were reportedly best friends and had graduated from high school and the police academy together.

Hilton, who attended college in Americus, briefly knew both officers. He said he was grateful for turnout and the support.

“I couldn’t have done it without the volunteers,” Hilton said. “I made one call and everyone said yes. I never heard no from anybody. It was good and they made it easy.”

Hilton said law enforcement officers from across the area played in the event.