12/18/2025
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Officer Tony Smerk. Our thoughts and prayers are with the North Olmsted Police Department, his family, and all who had the honor of serving alongside him.
This is a tough one. Yesterday evening we lost not only one of our guys, but a truly great human. I know, everyone is “a great guy” when they die but Tony Smerk was truly great. He was an Army combat vet, a youth pastor, and a great cop. More than titles, he was the daddy of two adorable 4 year old twin girls, a husband that made no secret about how much he was in love with his wife, a dedicated son and brother, and a devout man of God.
Tony passed away at the hospital after a sudden medical emergency at home at 38 years old. We were all there with him as he went and this loss can’t be measured in words.
Tony had only been with us a short time, getting hired while a youth pastor. His life experience brought him to a job that he was destined for and he was crushing it. In Tony’s first phase of training I remember telling the bosses that he carried himself on the road like someone with 10 years of experience. He worked every day with empathy and a strong vision of what’s right versus what he COULD do. Tony based decisions on circumstances and not black and white law. He had a way of talking to people that can’t be taught. He was exactly where he was supposed to be doing what he was put here to do. Like I said before, Tony’s loss can’t be measured and he was going to do great things for this community and this department. Because of his lived experiences, he was always there with advice for guys despite being a “new guy”. He earned respect quickly from us as well as citizens that he came in contact with.
As cruel as life is, it will go on. Someone will be hired to fill his spot. I’m glad it’s not me because that spot will come with impossibly huge shoes to fill. Tony can’t be replaced.
His faith was strong, as is his family’s, and my sincere prayer for them is that, while this loss is immeasurable, they will find peace.
Please take a minute to say a prayer or have a nice thought for Tony and his family. Not because he was a cop; because he was a stellar human living his life in service to others.
This is going to be a huge loss for his family, his department, and this community. If you never met him, I’m sorry. He made lives better wherever he went.
Rest easy, Tony. The world is a better place because you were in it and , while way too short, your life was not in vain.
Until we meet again.
Edit 12-19-25: Because folks are asking, we’ve set up a GoFundMe for the family. Thank you all for your support during this unimaginable loss. We appreciate all of you.
https://gofund.me/b3cace86f
