From Fire Engineering Editorial Advisory Board Member Chief Billy Goldfeder,
Billy was kind enough to supply us with the following information please share it widely and pray for Michelle this holiday, remember her friends and family. Pray for all who watch over us and who always have our backs.

Firefighter Michelle Smith Funeral Details & 12 year old Daughter Trust Fund Donation Information
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
The Delaware City Fire Company has announced the Line of Duty Death services for Firefighter Michelle Smith, 29, who passed away Monday, December 22nd. Services for Michelle are being coordinated by Department Officers and Members, State Fire Chief's Association members, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Local Assistance State Team. In respect for the holidays and the family's wishes, we have scheduled the services appropriately.
The viewing will be held on Sunday, January 4th, from 1500 hours until 1900 hours, at the Delaware City Fire Company Memorial Hall, 815 Fifth Street, Delaware City, DE 19706. The services will be held on Monday, January 5th, at 1000 hours, at the Delaware City Fire Company Memorial Hall, 815 Fifth Street, Delaware City, DE 19706. The firefighters honors and procession will immediately commence and continue to the internment being held at Odd Fellows Cemetery, 420 S. DuPont Blvd., Smyrna, DE 19977.
Michelle is survived by her 12 year old daughter, Emily. A trust fund has been set up in Emily's name for donations. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Emily A. Burge Trust Fund, c/o Delaware City Fire Company, PO Box 251, 815 Fifth Street, Delaware City, DE 19706, or donations may be made directly to the Delaware City Fire Company.
Fire Companies or agencies wishing to participate in the ceremonies should limit their participation to one apparatus. Apparatus and personnel should plan to report to the staging area (to be determined) by 9 am on Monday, January 5th. Details will follow early next week concerning the particulars of the ceremony. Please check their website, www.dcfc15.com , for up to date information.


In what continues to unfold as an absolutely incredible story related to the horrific Line of Duty Death of Delaware City (DE) Firefighter Michelle Smith... the criminal circumstances only gets worse.

As you already know, the motorcycle crash occurred on Route 13 southbound on Saturday evening. The operator of the bike, Edward Reiss, was injured in the incident and was lying in the roadway. A Delaware City Fire Company ambulance (standing by to cover that area for the Wilmington manor Fire Company) arrived on the scene within minutes and DCFC FF Michelle Smith got out of the ambulance, ran over to Mr. Reiss and began to administer care. A New Castle County Police Officer then arrived on the scene and activates him emergency equipment.
Moments later, the 2004 BMW 760 traveling southbound on Route 13 entered the crash scene and sideswiped the county police car causing significant damage. The Police officer leaped back into his car just prior to the impact and avoids injury. The BMW, operated by veteran criminal Joseph Taye, 28, of Bear, loses control and strikes Smith and Reiss. The BMW comes to a stop on the right shoulder south of the crash scene.

At that point, a light colored Honda, possibly an Accord, pulls up to the crash scene. The operator of the Honda, an unidentified black male, ACTUALLY HELPS TAYE into the Honda (Taye is unable to walk himself) and the Honda subsequently flees the scene. Witnesses describe the fleeing Honda and also advised that the operator of the BMW was a black male...with an obvious physical impairment/disability.
Officers, Troopers and New Castle County Police officers, respond to the BMW registered owners address....the car was apparently not Tayes. Through outstanding police investigative practices, the name of Joseph Taye comes up. It is learned that Taye was a black male with a physical impairment. Back at the crash scene, evidence technicians process the BMW and locate a finger print which ultimately proves to be a positive match for Taye.
Tragically, yesterday, Monday, December 22nd, Ms. Smith succumbs to her injuries and is pronounced dead at Christiana Hospital. Her death is Line of Duty.
During the evening hours of December 22nd, detectives complete arrest warrants for Taye. Troopers respond to Tayes home in Bear and take him into custody without incident. Taye is arraigned on the following offenses: Manslaughter, Assault 2nd, Driving while Revoked, Leaving the Scene of a Crash and Failure to Report a Crash. Bail is set at $30,000.00 only (yeah-we know) and Mr. Taye is committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute. As you know, this case is still very much active. Investigators are seeking to identify the operator of the Honda that fled the scene of the crash with Taye in the car. We have no doubt that they will get Tayes "partners in crime"...

FF Michelle L. Smith has served the Delaware City Fire Company http://www.dcfc15.com/ and the
Delaware City Ladies Auxiliary for over 5 years, holding the Secretary position with the Ladies Auxiliary. She also serves with the Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown, DE: http://www.vhc27.com/ . Michelle is survived by her 12 year old daughter. Again, our condolences to all affected, the members of the Delaware City, Wilmington Manor Fire Companies and VHC of Middletown but especially her family, her daughter and her friends.

Kudos to the Delaware State and the New Castle County Police involved in this bizarre case for the outstanding police work done so far as they continue to hunt for Tayes accomplices.
More to follow....
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
posted by Bobby Halton
12/24/2008 02:43:00 PM

Post a Comment