Thank you Officer Nick Reiter, of the Hazel Park Police Department, for sharing photos of your grandfather, Lt. Ronald Smith.
Lt. Smith, who splits his time between Michigan and Florida, served on the Royal Oak Police Department from 1960 to 1988. He was there in 1964 for the opening of the police station at 221 E Troy. He raised five daughters in Royal Oak.
When Officer Reiter was sworn in, his grandfather was there to pin on his badge to his uniform.
"I followed in my grandfather's footsteps," said Officer Reiter. "Everyone pick's a family member to pin on their badge. It's usually the person's father or mother, but I chose my grandfather. He's really special to me."
The photo of grandfather and grandson is one of Officer Reiter's favorites.