In 2003, the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) recognized the need to assist agencies and the officers’ families through the trauma of having to deal with the death of a police officer. This resulted in a team offering support in the areas of funeral planning, benefit coordination and stress management. First known as SMART (Sheriffs Memorial Assistance Response Team), the team responds when officers are killed in the line of duty, as well as when active duty officers are killed or die suddenly while off-duty. There are different protocols for each type of funeral and the team stands ready to serve at any time.

In 2012 the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) joined the team and the name was changed to SMMART (Sheriffs & Municipal Memorial Assistance Response Team). Just a few short months after our new team members received training, the SMMART team responded when a West Bloomfield Officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. While the SMMART team stands ready to respond anytime they are needed, the members of this dedicated crew hope that each call they go on will be their last.

For more information on the SMMART Team please contact MSA at 517-485-3135.