Large Turnout Expected for Fallen BART Officer's Funeral

Hundreds of police officers, family members, friends and supporters of fallen BART police Sgt. Tommy Smith are expected to attend his funeral in Castro Valley on Wednesday.           

The service for Smith, 42, who lived in San Ramon with his wife and daughter and worked for BART for more than two decades, will be held at 10 a.m. at the Neighborhood Church of Castro Valley, at 20600 John Drive.      

There also will be a viewing from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight at the Chapel of the Chimes at 32992 Mission Blvd. in Hayward.    

The funeral and the viewing are both open to the public.         

Smith was accidentally shot and killed by a colleague, BART Detective Michael Maes, while the two and other officers were conducting a probation search at a robbery suspect's apartment at 6450 Dougherty Road in Dublin at about 2 p.m. on Jan. 21.

Maes, who currently is on paid administrative leave, is expected to attend Smith's funeral, BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey told reporters on Monday.        

"I spoke to Michael over the weekend, and he'll go to the service," Rainey said.         

BART spokeswoman Luna Salaver said today that the service will be "pretty packed" because representatives from many Bay Area police departments will attend, as will officers from departments across the nation, including in Boston, Las Vegas and Texas.       

Salaver said speakers at the service will include Rainey, California Attorney General Kamala Harris and Newark police Officer Patrick Smith, who is one of Smith's brothers.        

There will be a flyover by three California Highway Patrol helicopters after the service, she said.       

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, honored Smith in a statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today.    

"I join the Bay Area community in remembering BART Sgt. Tommy Smith. He was a family man, a gentleman, and an inspiration," Swalwell said.       

Swalwell said, "On the job, he worked honorably every day to protect our community. He will be remembered as a hero not because of how he died, but because of how he lived."           

The congressman added, "There is no person more worthy of respect and tribute than he or she who lays down their own life while working to protect others."       

Those wishing to assist Smith's family may make deposits to the Tommy Smith Memorial fund at any Wells Fargo bank branch, citing account #5148561086 under the name of Kellie Smith, who is Smith's widow and a BART police colleague.           

People can also mail donations to the Tommy Smith Memorial Fund 

C/O Wells Fargo, 11020 Bollinger Canyon Road, Suite 1, San Ramon, CA 94582.