Sgt. Orville "Smitty" Smith, of the Shelton (Conn.) Police Department, was a friendly officer who enjoyed assignments that put him in contact with the public, the Connecticut Post reports.
Smith, 64, died today as a result of internal injuries sustained on the Fourth of July. While standing beside his cruiser after conducting traffic at a private fireworks event, Smith was struck by a Nissan Frontier.
The driver of the truck, 63-year-old Bruce Knapik of Bridgeport, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.