News

Henry County Officer Dies From Gunshot Wound Suffered Earlier This Month

December 28th, 2018

Henry County Police officer Michael Smith died early Friday in an Atlanta hospital from complications of a gunshot wound he suffered Dec. 6 in McDonough.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation via AP

A police officer in Georgia has died from a gunshot wound he suffered earlier this month when he responded to a disturbance at a dentist’s office.

News outlets reported the Henry County Police Department said officer Michael Smith died early Friday in an Atlanta hospital from complications of a gunshot wound he suffered Dec. 6 at a dentist’s office in McDonough.

It is with deep sadness to announce that Officer Michael Smith passed away approximately 4:30 A.M. this morning at Piedmont Hospital (Atlanta, Georgia) due to complications from injuries he sustained from a… https://t.co/tl0h0NVof5

— Henry County Police (@HenryCoPolice) December 28, 2018

The dentist’s office had called police about a man who was acting erratically.

Investigators say Smith went into the office and struggled with 53-year-old Dimaggio McNelly. Smith tried to stun the man, but a scuffle developed over the officer’s gun. A single shot was fired that killed McNelly and fatally injured Smith.

Smith had been with the police department for seven years.