TOM SMITH

I began his distinguished career with the NYPD in 1990, following his graduation from the Academy. He was assigned to the 30th Precinct in West Harlem, one of the busiest precincts in the department at the time. While at the 3-0, I was placed in the Anti-Crime Unit (Plainclothes), where he handled gun runs, in-progress calls, and robbery patterns. It was during this time that I was involved in a dramatic shooting incident with three robbery suspects, one of whom shot and wounded a fellow officer. Me and my team successfully neutralized two of the suspects and apprehended all three, earning the Medal of Valor for his actions during the incident.

From 1996 to 1999, I served in the Bronx Narcotics Unit, where he was involved in multiple large-scale narcotics operations. One of his most notable cases was a joint operation with the DEA, which led to the seizure of 125 kilos of cocaine from Venezuela—still the largest cocaine bust in the history of the Bronx Narcotics Unit. The operation also resulted in the arrest of several members of a Venezuelan drug cartel.

In 1999, I was transferred to the Bronx Gang Unit, where I worked on a high-profile investigation that led to the federal arrest of "OG Mac," the leader of the East Coast Bloods Street Gang. My team also arrested the leaders of the United Bloods Nation and the Nieta’s Street Gang, crippling their operations in the area.

From 2000 to 2003, I served with both the 52nd Precinct Robbery Squad and the 41st Detective Squad, continuing his work on high-level criminal investigations.

In 2003, I was assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, following the Terrorist attacks of 9/11, where I worked on numerous international and domestic terrorism cases. My role included briefing the highest levels of government on critical matters of national security. I traveled to 18 countries, leading investigations that ranged from anti-terrorism operations to high-profile kidnapping cases. One of his most notable achievements was leading a three-month deployment to Afghanistan, where I oversaw the successful resolution of a kidnapping case involving a New York Times reporter.

My vigilance and expertise also led to the prevention of a planned school shooting, which was thwarted just six days before the attack. During the arrest, law enforcement recovered a hit list, a diagram of the school, and materials used to make pipe bombs.

Throughout my career, I held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance and briefed some of the highest-ranking members of the U.S. government. After 30 years of exemplary service, I retired in 2020 as a Second Grade Detective.

Awards & Recognition:

Medal of Valor
Honorable Mention
Exceptional Merit
3 Commendations
4 Meritorious Police Duty Awards
4 Excellent Police Duty Awards
2x Cop of the Month
PBA Cop of the Month
Detective Crime Clinic Award
Co-Host, Gold Shields Podcast
2024 National Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame Inductee – Lifetime Achievement Award
Honorary Board Member of Wheelchairs For Warriors
Advisory Board Member of Blue Lives Matter-NYC