Jackson Free Press

[From Jackson Director of Communications Chris Mims]

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. announced this morning that the Jackson Police Department Family is having a candlelight vigil on the steps of Jackson Police Department Headquarters, Thursday evening at 6 p.m. for fallen officer Eric T. Smith. The vigil will celebrate the life of Detective Smith and his eighteen years of service to the Jackson Police Department and the citizens of Jackson.

“We ask you to continue to keep the Smith family, his friends and the Jackson Police Department lifted in prayer,” said Police Chief Rebecca Coleman.

The Smith Family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Eric T. Smith Charity Fund that has been set up through Trustmark National Bank. Citizens may also make donations to the Jackson Police Department’s Youth Police Athletic League (PAL), through the Jackson Police Foundation Inc., Post Office Box 80, Jackson, MS 39205, noting: In Memory of Eric Smith for Youth Police Athletic League. The PAL program is a youth crime prevention program that relies on education, athletic and other recreational activities creating bonds between police officers and the youth in our community. The PAL Program is available for children from ages 6 to 15 years of age.

A criminal investigation is being conducted by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations. Additionally, an Internal Investigation is being conducted by the Internal Affairs Division to into any policy or procedural violations. Both investigations are progressing.

“We realize that there are questions relating to details surrounding this tragic incident. However, at this point both investigations have not concluded,” said Mayor Johnson. “We will be prepared to share as much information as possible once the investigations are complete. A news conference will be called and officials will be made available to answer questions early next week.”

Funeral Services for Detective Eric Smith will be held, Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Athletic Assembly Center located at Jackson State University.

“In the remaining days before the interment we ask for the media’s cooperation in allowing Detective Smith’s family, his law enforcement family and citizens of Jackson time to mourn his death and celebrate his life,” said Mayor Johnson.

Former mayoral candidate and Chokwe Lumumba supporter Regina Quinn contacted two of the three independent candidates asking them to drop out of the June 4 general election to select Jackson's next mayor.

Councilman Chokwe Lumumba won the Democratic runoff earlier this week, defeating businessman Jonathan Lee by more than 3,000 votes.

Friday morning, Quinn released this statement to the JFP:

"After witnessing the brutal run-off between Mr. Lee and Mr. Lumumba, I came to the conclusion that the City had had enough and needed to start the healing process sooner rather than later. Therefore, I contacted two of the three independent candidates to see if they agreed with me that it would be best for the City of Jackson to acknowledge that with 20,000 plus votes people had decided who they wanted as their next mayor, and that it was now time to start healing. If I erred, it was an error of the head but not of the heart."

"Apparently, the healing process will have to wait until June 4, 2013," she added.

The independent candidates are Francis P. Smith Jr., Cornelius Griggs and Richard C. Williams Jr.

Here is the list of events scheduled for Lumumba's inauguration celebration, which will apparently last four days:

Friday, June 28, 2013 Kick-off celebration (3 p.m. - 7 p.m.) - Smith Park

Saturday, June 29, 2013 Ward 2 celebration (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.) - Presidential Hills, Ward 3 celebration (Noon - 3 p.m.) - Grove Park, Ward 4 celebration (2 p.m. - 5 p.m.) - Westside Park, Wards 5 & 7 celebration (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.) - Battlefield Park

Sunday, June 30, 2013 Ward 1 celebration (1 p.m.-4 p.m.) - Parham Bridges, Ward 6 celebration (3 p.m. - 6 p.m.) - Leavell Woods Park

Monday, July 1, 2013 Inaugural prayer service ( 8 a.m.) - Word and Worship Church, Oath of office ceremony & reception (Noon) - Jackson Convention Complex, The People's Inaugural Celebration (7 p.m. - 11 p.m.) - Jackson Convention Complex

No word on music for the People's Inaugural Celebration, but here's to hoping it's as good as the election-night entertainment at the Clarion Hotel with Southern Komfort Brass Band.