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Dora Smith received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Vicksburg Homecoming Benevolent Club

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Dora Smith
Dora Smith

Mrs. Dora Smith, a member of the Vicksburg Homecoming Benevolent Club, was honored with its highest distinction-the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dora keeps the elite status as one of three African American former female police officers for the City of Vicksburg.

Graduating from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Academy in June 1977 and passing the Civil Service Examination, she became the city’s first Black female police officer patrolling the streets of Vicksburg morning, noon, and night, and served as a desk sergeant for all three shifts. During her service, she was named Officer of the Year. She later transferred to the Juvenile Division working with youth in crisis. In her tireless efforts to help children to reach a better life,
she worked with the Child Abuse Shelter counseling runaways.

For eight years, she collaborated with Attorney General Mike Moore in the Drug and Alcohol Division. She received a grant to work with Youth Court to divert youngsters from abusing drugs and alcohol. Being steadfast with this initiative afforded her the Certificate of Appreciation, a monetary bonus, and a trip to Biloxi–one of Mississippi’s premier Gulf Coast cities. During her tenure as a police officer, she attended various conferences, workshops, and seminars to ensure that she remained
abreast of the ever-present demands of the force. Dora retired from the Vicksburg Police Department as Commanding Supervisor of the Youth Department in 2003.

Mrs. Smith has been involved in community services and organizations such as the NAACP, Law Enforcement Association,
Alcorn State University National Alumni Association, River City Rescue Mission, and the Essence Social and Civic Club where
she is a founding member and organizer of events. Among other accolades, Dora was named Officer of the Year at the American Legion, Woman of Distinction with the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce, and honored as a Happy Hero at Riverwalk
Casino. She received recognition from Congressman Bennie Thompson for her passion and dedication to serving others and
the City of Vicksburg.

Her educational acumens include attending the IBM School of Automation in Indianapolis, IN whereby she obtained an Associates of Arts degree. She attended Tougaloo College for two years majoring in Elementary and Secondary Education, and later received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Psychology from Alcon State University where she was a Dean’s List Scholar. She did further studies at Hinds Community College. At the onset of her career, she worked in the Marion
County Hospital as a License Practical Nurse (LPN), and as a substitute teacher for the Vicksburg Warren County School District.

Dora has been married to Charles Smith Sr., for more than 50 years and together have reared five children–four boys Dwayne,
Wayne (twins), Charles, Chandler, and one daughter Char Dori. She is the proud grandmother of twelve grandchildren and
two great grandchildren. Her unwavering faith in the Supreme Creator keeps her attending the King David No. 1 Missionary Baptist Church where she is committed to the Women’s Ministry and serves as Program Coordinator. Rs. Dora Smith, a longtime native of Vicksburg, MS, has shown her loyal service to mankind throughout her obligation to family, church, and the community.

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