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SPORTS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021
LIFE
WEDDINGS special section
‘Tribute To a Great Person’ Randy Smith Remembered for His Courage, Love of Life
Photo by Sarah Partain
By Rubin E. Grant
Major Adjustment
Couples; Wedding Pros Share Stories and Tips for Planning a Wedding in Pandemic Times
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During Homewood’s 1974 state championship football season, Patriots co-captain Murray Legg always felt a little taller when he walked onto the field for the coin toss before games. Legg’s valiant posture was because of Homewood’s other co-captain, Randy Smith. “I was honored to be a co-captain with Randy,” Legg said. “It was an honor to walk on the field before each game beside him.” Legg was “on the field” with Smith one last time Jan. 2 when Smith’s memorial service was held at Homewood’s Randy Smith Waldrop Stadium. Randall “Randy” Versie Smith, 63, died Dec. 28 at UAB Hospital, following a fall at his home in Vestavia Hills the day after Christmas. Smith was a former Birmingham police officer who was accidentally shot in the head and permanently disabled while on duty in 1995. According to the medical examiner, the injury he suffered 25 years earlier was likely a contributing factor in his death. The shooting occurred March 22, 1995, when Smith and other officers were dispatched to a domestic dispute in Ensley. While responding to the call, officer Smith rescued a toddler, but a fellow responding officer accidentally shot Smith. Smith was unable to return to duty and retired from the force in 1996. Smith served in the army for six years before joining the Birmingham Police Department in
See SMITH, page 13
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