Michelle L. Smith
Delaware City Fire Company No. 1‚ Inc. – Delaware
Volunteer Firefighter
Date of Death: December 22‚ 2008
Age: 29

While attending to a patient who had been critically injured in a motorcycle accident‚ Michelle Smith was struck by another vehicle and later died from the injuries she sustained. Her death helped lead to changes that further protect first responders in Delaware.

Michelle was very committed to the fire service and was involved extensively with the fire department in educating the public in fire safety awareness. She was an active member of the Delaware City Ladies Auxiliary and served as its secretary. She was co-chair of the department’s fire prevention committee and actively contributed to emergency response‚ fire prevention‚ and community awareness efforts. She took pride in her numerous contributions.

Michelle received the following awards: Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission Edward C. McCormack Award‚ 2nd place for excellence in fire education; Chief Arthur B. Hope Heroic Firefighter of the Year; and Vincent F. Malloy First Responder of the Year.

Michelle worked for Coventry Healthcare. She was also an active member of Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown‚ Delaware.

House Bill 204‚ enacted by the Delaware House of Representatives 145th General Assembly‚ was named Michelle Smith’s Law. This bill amended Delaware State Code to help ensure that any person who recklessly kills one of Delaware’s first responders is eligible to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Michelle was a very loving daughter‚ sister‚ and mother. She is survived by her 12-year-old daughter‚ Emily.