[Southsider2k12]

http://heraldargus.com/archives/ha/display.php?id=386723

‘It’s like a bad dream’
10/09/2007, 11:11 am
Comment on this story

Donovan Estridge, 1-866-362-2167 Ext. 13865, destridge@heraldargus.com


With only weeks to live, Michigan City Police Officer Chris Smith is immersed in the love of his wife,
three children, friends and an entire department

MICHIGAN CITY -- Renee Smith is immersed in a nightmare that has crippled her family and left their future in doubt.

Renee, the wife of 25-year-old Michigan City Police Officer Chris Smith, is spending every minute by her husband’s side as he battles an inoperable form of cancer.

“It’s like a bad dream right now,” Renee told The La Porte County Herald-Argus.

The Smith family learned the news last week after Chris collapsed while on duty at the Michigan City Police Department. Once at the hospital, doctors delivered the grim news that the cancer Chris faced as an infant has re-emerged and has left him with only weeks to live.

“You think the doctor is going to remove a tumor,” Renee said. “But it was worse.”

Chris has opted to spend his days at his home with his family by his side. The police uniform that Chris loved so much rests near his bed while friends and family visit.

Outside the Smith home is the newly issued police vehicle that Chris couldn’t wait to climb in.

“Believe me, Chris would be in it in a heartbeat if he could,” Renee said.

‘In support of our brother’

Chris’s friends and cohorts from the Michigan City Police have come to his family’s aid. While the family was en route from a Chicago hospital, police mobilized in Michigan City to welcome their comrade home. Once the van carrying Chris exited I-94, hordes of police vehicles were there to welcome him home.

“The parade was very helpful,” Renee said. “Especially for Chris to see the love and support.”

“It was an opportunity to show our support for our brother,” Michigan City Assistant Police Chief John Kintzele told The Herald-Argus. “We protect and serve our community, but we also protect our own. Chris is one of us.”

Police have also tried to continue normalcy in the Smiths’ lives. With Halloween right around the corner, officers have delivered pumpkins and other decorations.

“I cannot say enough for what they have been doing,” Renee said.

Police have also offered to give financial support. Renee had to quit her job to care for her husband. This has left the family limited in financial options. On Monday, Fraternal Order of Police Duneland Post 75 set up a fund for the family.

“Any donations will be helpful,” Chris’s training officer, Doug Samuelson, told The Herald-Argus. “We are trying to help as much as we can.”

Police also hope a pancake breakfast on Nov. 11 will lend support.

“These times are going to be hard,” Samuelson said. “It is up to us to make it easier for the family and for Chris.”

‘He is a fighter’

Family and friends retain hope that Chris can fight back to health.

“Chris will probably tell you he will be back to work at the end of the month,” Samuelson said. “He is a fighter.”
Renee is holding out hope that the family will see brighter skies.

“He is 25 years old,” Renee said. “It is not his time to go.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How you can help

Those wishing to donate to the Chris Smith fund can go to any Members Advantage Credit Union and deposit money in account No. 26805 “Chris Smith fund.”

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=48288.79

Wish Granted
Michigan City police officer Chris Smith travels with family to Walt Disney World.

Georgette Senter
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Three weeks ago, Michigan City Police Officer Chris Smith received a hero's welcome home after learning the cancer he thought he had beaten as a child had returned.

On Wednesday, Smith and his wife, Reneé, their three sons, Tyler, 7, Prestin, 2, and Matthew, 11 months, his mother and father, Bridget and Phillip Smith, were driven to Midway Airport and whisked away for a dream trip to Disney World.

Angela Hugley would not call herself a dream maker or wish granter but within days of learning about Smith's plight, she raised money and organized the trip.

Hugley, whose husband, Rob, is a Michigan City Police Reserve Officer, trained with Smith and when he heard how ill his friend was, it motivated the entire Hugley family. The Hugleys' 9-year-old son, Brandon, wanted his parents to ask Smith what he would like to give his sons for Christmas.

Angela Hugley said she was pretty sure what her son was thinking because many of Smith's friends have come to realize that he may not be with his family this holiday season.

"But I just couldn't go to Chris and say, 'Hey what would you like to give you family for Christmas?'" Angela said.

During a visit she and her husband had with the Smiths, they began talking about the holidays and the Hugleys' plans to spend part of Christmas break at Disney World.

The light bulb went off, Angela said, "when Chris said he wished he could take his kids to Disney World."

She began making phone calls to friends and local businesses. "It didn't take long and we had the entire trip itinerary in place," she said.

The main concern was whether Smith would be strong enough to endure the long flight and several days away from hospice care. Smith said the tumor in his chest is growing slowly and causes trouble with his breathing. He also said the clot in his leg gives him good days and bad.

"But I take each day that is given," Chris said. "I try not to worry what will happen tomorrow."

As much as Hugley wanted to make the trip a surprise, she knew that would be impossible because of the care he needs.

Dan Healy of Healy Landscaping came up with the way of moving the family to the airport. He made sure a limousine was available, and Lakeshore Travel Services found a non-stop flight from Chicago to Orlanda that would accept a passenger on oxygen. AirTran came to the rescue.

Nan Issacson, who is related to the Healy family and works in the public relations department at Disney World, got wind of this surprise and began wheels turning in Florida.

Hugley purchased tickets for Disney World and a food package for the Smiths, but when Issacson was through, everything had been upgraded to VIP. Chris, who had merely mentioned that he would love to be able to give his sons a trip to Disney World, found out his dream would be a reality.

"When I was a child and had my cancer surgery and recovered, my parents took me to Disney World," Smith said. "I really don't remember too much of that trip because I was only 3 or 4 years old. We are going to be taking a lot of pictures for my boys to have."

Hugley said she marvels at the help she got from the Michigan City Police Department, The Blue Knights and from Chief Ben Neitzel.

"I am just so happy how we managed to bring this all together in just a few weeks," she said. "We have so many people to thank, but to see the smiles on the boys faces as they watched the limo pull in front of their house was priceless."

Hugley and her angel band are sure the Smiths, who are due home Saturday, are making memories.

"We can hardly wait to see the pictures, the tons of pictures Chris said he will be taking," Hugley said.

A fundraising pancake breakfast is planned for the Smith family from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Michigan City Senior Center in Washington Park. Those wishing to donate to help with the family's medical expenses may contact Horizon Bank, 873-2640, or Members Advantage at 3064 Ohio St.

Contact Georgette Senter at gsenter@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=50239.16

Breakfast a benefit for police officer

MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Police Department is sponsoring a benefit pancake breakfast for officer Chris Smith and his family from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 11, at Michigan City Senior Center. Smith has inoperable cancer. Donations are $5 each, while children 5 and younger eat free. Tickets will be available at the door. Planned during the morning is a silent auction of items donated to help Smith and his family that include memorabilia, sports tickets and items from local merchants. Call 874-3221 for information.

[Roger Kaputnik]

see you there

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=31596.78

Helping Chris
Group builds wheelchair ramp for police officer fighting cancer.

Rick Richards
City Editor, The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Building wheelchair ramps is normally a warm-weather project for Catholic Charities, but Thomas Szawara said he had no problem assembling workers to build one for Chris Smith.

"We don't normally build the ramps so late in the year, but St. Anthony Hospice called and asked us for help, and this group never refuses to help," said Szawara.

Smith, 25, a member of the Michigan City police force for barely a year, has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and the prognosis isn't good. When Smith was a child, he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor that cost him a kidney. For years he was cancer free, but the disease returned with a vengeance earlier this year.

Smith, wife, Renee, and their three sons, Tyler, 7, Prestin, 2, and Matthew, 11 months, recently returned from a trip to Disney World that was organized and paid for by friends. Smith told a friend he hoped to someday take his sons to Disney World, but he worried his cancer would keep that from happening.

A family friend, Angela Hugley, heard about that and organized the trip.

But by the time the trip came around, Smith needed the assistance of a wheelchair to get around, and that's what led Catholic Charities to show up at Smith's Roeske Avenue home on a cold and blustery Friday in November.

Bob Bell, a retired Michigan City police officer, was one of the volunteers.

"It's special for me to be on this project. We are all very pleased to be out here to help. I just hope he gets a lot of use out of it."

Bell, who retired two years ago after 37 years with the department, said he has never met Smith, but that fact doesn't diminish the bond he feels with the officer.

"It hurts to hear that being a police officer was Chris' lifelong dream, and then this happens," Bell said.

The mood at the project was upbeat. All of the volunteers said they enjoy what they do.

Besides Szawara and Bell, volunteers pitching in included construction coordinator John Shebel, Natalie Kroening, Rich Pelis, LeRoy Adkins, Bette Wedow, Tom Mulhern, Linda Middleton, Tom Berg, Jack Litz and Barb Mason.

Szawara said the ramp built for Smith was the 33rd ramp the group has built this year.

The public can help with Smith's medical bills by attending a fundraising pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday at the Senior Center in Washington Park. The breakfast is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police Dunes Lodge No. 75. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.

Elizabeth Hogge contributed to this report.

Contact Rick A. Richards at news@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Roger Kaputnik]

can't even imagine going thru this

[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=45243.14

Money Raised For Officer, Family
On behalf of the Chris Smith family we thank all those officers, family members, friends, citizens, organizations and businesses that helped in and participated with the Chris Smith Pancake Breakfast on Sunday. It was an outstanding effort that brought the Police Department and the citizens of Michigan City and surrounding counties and cities together for a very worthy cause.

The cause, as we know, was the helping of Michigan City Police Officer Chris Smith and his family. The pancake breakfast and donations that were gathered from the bake sale and silent auction just on Sunday, Nov. 11, brought in an amazing amount of money. This money will be able to help give Chris and his family a small amount of financial security for the uncertain future.

It was unbelievable the amount of help, charity and donations that we received in the organizing, set up and operation of the breakfast. To write the name of every business, organization, citizen, fellow members of the Police Department and those in the Fire Department probably would take up an entire page of The News Dispatch. In the upcoming week we will be sending letters to the individuals and organizations officially thanking them in their charitable assistance and kindness.

Although the pancake breakfast has ended, the two bank accounts are still open and active (Horizon Bank/ Members Advantage). Any and all donations in the future are welcomed. Thank you.

Officer Jeff Piotrowski and Officer Doug Samuelson

Michigan City Police Department

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=39985.07

Many Support Chris Smith
The relatives of Officer Chris Smith express our heartfelt appreciation to the people of Michigan City and surrounding areas for your prayers, support, gifts of time and labor and generosity. We are truly blessed to live in such a caring community.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, our prayer is for you, as you come together with friends and loved ones you hold dear. Have a joyous holiday and know the entire Chris Smith family counts each and every one of you among our many blessings this year.

Margaret Peek-Hallum

Floyd Hallum

Ann Lane

Michigan City

[Ang]

Officer Smith passed away December 28th. At least his family got to spend one more Christmas with him. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family, the Police Department, and all those whose lives he touched....

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=52293.89

MCPD Officer Chris Smith Loses His Battle With Cancer
Family, community starts mourning loss of 25-year-old.

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - A black-draped police car is on the front lawn and the flag is at half staff at the Michigan City police station after the department lost one of its own.

Officer Chris Smith, 25, died of cancer Friday afternoon at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel.

Smith chose to leave hospice care so he could be home with his family for Christmas.

"We mourn his loss, along with his family," Assistant Chief John Kintzele said Friday.

He was born June 20, 1982, and raised in Michigan City. Smith achieved his dream of becoming a police officer, serving for 13 months before collapsing while on duty this fall.

He was rushed to St. Anthony Memorial, then transferred to the University of Chicago.

Doctors told him that the cancer he had as a 2-year-old had returned and was inoperable. As an infant, Smith's doctors found a tumor in his stomach that also was attached to his right kidney. The surgery removed the tumor along with the kidney.

On his return from the Chicago hospital on Oct. 6, Smith was met at the intersection of I-94 and U.S. 421 by Michigan City and La Porte County officers. The vehicles lined the roadway to escort him to his North End home.

Smith and wife, Renee, have three sons, Tyler, 7, Prestin, 2, and Matthew, 11 months. The family, along with his parents Bridget and Phillip Smith, received an early Christmas present in October when they were treated with a trip to Disney World.

Smith had worried he would never be able to take his kids to Disney World. The trip was made possible by Smith's friends, local businesses, the Michigan City Police Department, The Blue Knights and Chief Ben Neitzel.

About the time of the trip, Smith needed a wheelchair to get around. Catholic Charities organized a crew to build a ramp at Smith's Roeske Avenue home in November.

Before joining the police force, Smith worked at Westville Correctional Center and Westville and La Porte police department agencies before getting his dream job in Michigan City.

The Smiths' oldest son, Tyler, has expressed an interest in following in his father's footsteps.

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=52293.89

Department Mourns Death Of Chris Smith
Officer was living a life he dreamed of, fellow officers say as they remember him.

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Cpl. David Kanger, working his last hours as shift commander at the Michigan City Police Department on Saturday night, expected to go home and put his uniform in mothballs.

"But now I'll be a pallbearer and I'll put on the uniform for the funeral," he said.

Kanger, retiring after 30 years on the force, will take on that role for Officer Chris Smith, who was born five years after Kanger had started on the force.

Smith, 25, died of cancer Friday afternoon, surrounded by family and friends.

Police officers are on the first line of tragedy, of accidents, injuries and senseless violence.

"But you just never expect that someone as young as Chris will get so sick that he'll die," Kanger said, expressing the grief and dismay shared by the police officers.

Smith's cancer was diagnosed in October.

"(Smith) was appreciative of the opportunity to work for the Michigan City Police Department," Police Chief Ben Neitzel said Saturday. "He put his nose to the grindstone and promised, 'You'll be proud of me.'"

Patrolman First Class Shane Washluske and his wife, LeAnne, were at the movies with Smith and his wife, Renee, a week ago.

"We saw 'I Am Legend' with Will Smith," Washluske recalled. "Chris loved movies."

The Washluskes were with Smith and his family when he died.

Washluske had been on the force for about four yearswhen Smith was hired about a year ago.

"I knew him when he worked at the La Porte County Jail and he always wanted to be a Michigan City officer," Washluske said.

Kanger and Det. Andrew Paull remember Smith's determination to join the force. Paull, the treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police, said he first met Smith when he was about 17 and working at McDonald's on Michigan Boulevard. Paull was doing security work there at the time.

"He was always asking me how he could become an officer," Paull said.

Paull gave him some tips and Smith took his advice. He had begun to work on a degree in criminal justice.

Paull remembers how fondly Smith spoke of Renee, who was his high school sweetheart and destined to become his wife and the mother of their three sons.

"He knew she was his soul mate," Paull said.

The Smiths have three sons, Tyler, 7, Prestin, 2, and Matthew, 11 months.

"Prestin was running around in his little police uniform," on the day his dad died, Kanger said.

"He never wanted to take that uniform off," said Michelle, Dave Kanger's wife.

She described Chris Smith as something of a miracle. He had cancer when he was 2 years old.

"He was never supposed to have kids," Michelle Kanger said. "He has three sons."

When his cancer, a return of the childhood disease, was diagnosed in October, Michelle said, doctors thought Smith had only a few days to live, "but he lived to spend Christmas with his family."

In October, the Smith family, along with Chris' parents, Bridget and Phillip Smith, enjoyed a trip to Disney World with support from friends, local businesses, the Michigan City Police Department, The Blue Knights and Police Chief Ben Neitzel.

"People who didn't even know him came out in droves to support him," Kanger said.

Retired Police Capt. Larry Kunkel described Smith as "a very bright kid with a lot of potential."

An experienced pilot, the former police chief was happy to see Smith taking flying lessons and Kunkel sometimes quizzed him on his lessons.

"He would have made a great pilot," Kunkel said. "I was very impressed with that young man."

To Dave Kanger and to most officers, the job of a police officer is anything but glamorous.

"But for Chris, it was one of those childhood dreams. He always wanted to be a police officer," Kanger said.

Paull agreed.

"He wanted to be a police officer here, in Michigan City. He was born and raised here and didn't want to go anywhere else. Being a police officer was his dream job."

Arrangements for Smith are pending at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel.

[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...&TM=62530.5

Christopher Smith
June 20, 1982-Dec. 28, 2007
MICHIGAN CITY - Christopher Aaron Smith, 25, Michigan City, passed away at 1:45 p.m. Friday (Dec. 28, 2007) at his residence.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Countryside Christian Church with Pastor Kevin Galloway officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at Countryside Christian Church, 7056 W. County Road 450 North, Michigan City. The American Legion Skwiat Post 451 will conduct a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

He was born June 20, 1982 in Michigan City to Phillip and Bridget (Shields) Smith. On July 24, 2000, in Michigan City he married Renee Pearson Smith, who survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Tyler Smith, Prestin Smith and Matthew Smith, all of Michigan City; brother and sister, Phillip Smith II and Gail Smith, both of Michigan City; grandparents Floyd and Margaret Hallum, Michigan City, and Charles and Dorothy Smith, Protestant, Ky.; two nieces, one nephew and several aunts and uncles.

Chris fulfilled his childhood dream when he became a Michigan City police officer. He was a loving husband and dedicated father. Chris enjoyed airplanes and was working towards earning his pilot's license.

Chris was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Dunes Lodge 75, St. Joseph Young Men's Society and Sons of the American Legion, Skwiat Post 451.

Contributions may be made to the Chris Smith Fund, Riley Children's Hospital, 702 Barnhill Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46202, or the American Cancer Society, 535 West Edison Rd, Unit #6, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

To sign a guestbook and leave condolences online visit our Web site at www.otthaverstock.com.