Cops Who Have Been Best Friends Since Childhood Are Both Fatally Shot During Call

Childhood friends Nick Smarr and Jody Smith both responded to a domestic disturbance in rural Georgia and were both fatally shot.

Two childhood friends who grew up to become Georgia cops were fatally shot while responding to the same call this week. 

Nick Smarr, 25, and Jody Smith, 26, worked as officers in different departments, but both heard the call about a domestic disturbance Wednesday morning.

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Police said 32-year-old Minquell Kennedy Lembrick shot and killed Smarr at the scene and critically wounded his lifelong friend, Smith.

Smith, a member of the Georgia Southwestern State University police force, died from his wounds Thursday evening.

“We offer our deepest condolences to his family during this very difficult time. Officer Smith was a bright, young and energetic officer, and he will be sorely missed," GSW Interim President Charles Patterson said in a statement.

Smith was nearby when he heard the call go out to Smarr with the Americus police at about 9:40 am. 

Police say Lembrick opened fire as the two officers arrived.

Smith was engaged to be married. 

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"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families. This is a devastating loss to our family here in Americus. It's just unbelievable. It's a tragedy beyond words," Americus Police Chief Mark Scott told reporters. "One of our family members has been taken from us." 

After a manhunt, a tip led SWAT team members to a home Thursday morning, where Lembrick was found dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot.

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