On December 7, 2016, Americus Police Officer Nicholas Ryan Smarr, 25, was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex on South Lee Street. Smarr and his longtime friend and fellow officer Jody Smith arrived after learning the suspect, 32-year-old Minquell Kennedy Lembrick, had an active felony warrant. Lembrick fled and opened fire as the officers gave chase, striking both men in the head. Mortally wounded, Smarr returned fire and then attempted CPR on Smith before collapsing; Smith died the following day. Smarr was pronounced dead at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.

A large manhunt began for Lembrick, who had an extensive criminal record and was described as armed and dangerous. He was located the next day in a house on Allen Street; after officers heard a gunshot inside, a tactical robot found Lembrick dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, later identified by the FBI through fingerprints.

If anyone knew Officer Smarr or has information about the incident, please share what you remember.