Update: Memorial Published for Chesterfield Police Officer Joseph Smith

Updated 3/17 with obituary and funeral arrangements:

Joseph C. Smith died suddenly on March 143, 2013 at the age of 50.

Beloved husband of Michelle A. Smith (nee Mantler). Dearest father of Gregory (Lisa), Eric (Amber), the late Joshua, and Madison Smith. Dear grandfather of Courtney, Devin, Dominic, Noah, Zoey, Colby, Braxton and Kaydence Smith. Dear son of Clarence J. and Billie J. (nee Borawski) Smith; brother of Michele (Efren) Delgado, Jennifer (Michael) Mantler; son-in-law of Charles and Frances Mantler. Our dear brother-in-law, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend.

Officer Smith was in his 31st year of law enforcement and served with both the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and currently with the Chesterfield Police Department. He was also assigned to the St. Louis County Police Drug Unit for 10 years. Officer Smith was a decorated officer including a recipient of the Crusade Against Crime Medal of Valor and the U.S. Attorney's Office Distinguished Service Medal for his work in Narcotics.

Visitation will be held 4-8 p.m. Monday at O'Sullivan-Muckle Mortuary, 13996 Olive Blvd. in Chesterfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at Incarnate Word Catholic Church, 13416 Olive Blvd. in Chesterfield. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the church. 

In lieu of flower, memorials are asked to made to the Backstoppers. 

Original story:

Chesterfield Police are mourning the loss of one of their own following the sudden passing of Officer Joseph Smith, who died of an apparent heart attack in his home Wednesday night. 

Smith, 50, had just finished completing his shift at around 10 p.m. Wednesday night when he suffered the heart attack, according to a press release from the Chesterfield Police Department. The veteran police officer had 31 years in law enforcement, serving with several departments in the area including the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the St. Louis County Police Drug Unit. 

For the last 17 years, Smith had been a member of the Chesterfield Police Department. A decorated officer, Smith was the recipient of the Crusade Against Crime Medal of Valor for saving the life of a citizen in 1994 and the United States Attorney's Office Distinguished Service Award for his work in narcotics interdiction. 

He is survived by his wife, one daughter and two sons. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized. 

Smith's passing marked the second time in around 30 days that the Chesterfield Police lost a veteran officer to a medical emergency. Detective Chris Simpson in died February after falling unconscious at the department's fitness center. 

The St. Louis law enforcement community took to Facebook Thursday afternoon to express their condolences.   

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Chesterfield Police Department during this difficult time with a loss of one of their own," read a post from St. Louis County Emergency Management. 

"Our hearts are heavy," wrote the Wentzville Police Department. "Sympathy, thoughts, and prayers go out to our brothers and sisters of the Chesterfield Police Department during this difficult time."

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