Louisiana State Police Mourns the Passing of Trooper Bobby Smith, former resident of Marksville

Bobby Smith, who gave hope to so many although he was blinded as a state trooper, has died. He was a former Marksville resident, and the husband of Janie Dupuy. Smith did not the attack on him which cost his eye site stop him and went on to a continued career with encouraging and counseling other officers and families who had been attacked. Details of his funeral will be announced.

Louisiana State Police issued the following:

Baton Rouge – The Louisiana State Police family has suffered another terrible loss with the sudden death of Trooper Bobby Smith. Words are inadequate to describe the life, love, and character of Trooper Smith.

Trooper Smith began his career with LSP in 1983, and tragically on the night of March 14, 1986, Bobby was shot in the face by an armed assailant during a traffic stop. As a result of that incident he lost his sight, his career, and his marriage. Never one to succumb to adversity, Bobby earned his Ph.D., authored several books and set out on a path of helping others. He found love again and married his wife Janie.

As if the unspeakable challenges Bobby had overcome were not enough, he lost his only daughter Kimberley in a car crash, and later lost his only son Brad. However, Bobby's will to help others would carry him through his personal challenges as he traveled the world sharing his story and lifting up others. In 2008, Colonel Edmonson welcomed Bobby back into the LSP family where he become an invaluable staff advisor. In his new role with LSP, Bobby helped to establish the Trooper Assistance Program, and served as a peer counselor for his fellow Troopers.

“We lost an indelible soul this morning... Bobby Smith,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, Louisiana State Police Superintendent. “As I stand in his living room and my eyes circle the room, it is evident how important his family and LSP were to him. I brought Bobby home yesterday from the funeral of WBR Deputy Donna Leblanc and her daughter. As we talked about the tragedy, his thoughts were of his wife Janie and his kids. Mostly of his daughter Kim whom he buried 19 years ago yesterday. He was incredibly proud to be a Louisiana State Trooper, a family he held close in his heart. We lost a part of all of us this morning, but Bobby Smith continues to guide all whom he touched. Heaven has welcomed home a hero.”

Bobby Smith will be greatly missed by not only the Louisiana State Police family, but by all others that he had the opportunity to touch in life. To learn more about Bobby’s legacy, please visit www.visionsofcourage.com. Plans regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.