Jillian Michelle Smith

Jillian Michelle Smith brought warmth, faith, and determination to every part of her short but meaningful life. Born December 18, 1986, in Arlington to Douglas and Sonya Smith, Jillian was the youngest of two daughters and grew up rooted in her neighborhood and in Mount Olive Baptist Church, where she sang with the youth choir and was baptized as a child. She graduated from Juan Seguin High School in 2005 and went on to earn her bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating cum laude in 2009.

From a young age Jillian felt called to service. She fulfilled a lifelong dream when she graduated from the Arlington Police Academy and joined the Arlington Police Department in 2010. In the months she served her hometown, friends and colleagues remembered her for a bright smile, steady devotion to duty, and the rare ability to leave a positive impression on everyone she met. Jillian treasured time with family and friends and approached life with a joyful spirit that those close to her still recall.

She is survived by her parents, Douglas and Sonya Smith; her sister, Jessica Smith; her nephew, Cameron; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who cherished her presence. Her funeral was held January 4, 2011, at Mount Olive Baptist Church, where her community gathered to honor a young woman who gave herself to service and to others. Though her life was tragically brief, Jillian's commitment to protecting people and her love for family and faith remain the lasting markers of a life well-lived.