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Carl Parker drives the new Smithville police cruiser down Highway 145 in Saltillo with his dad Randy as a passenger and motorcycles in tow during the Ride for Rebuilding motorcycle trek on Saturday. Randy’s mother Lucille was killed during the April 27 tornado that hit Smithville. The event was hosted by the Dixie Tunder chapter of the Defenders Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and raised $7,668.60 for the Smithville Police Department. (Deste Lee)
Jimmy Mathis, from left, Dalton Brown, 3, Ashley Sommers, Caylee Zepeda, 2, and Brock Brown wave as they watch over 200 motorcycles ride down Hwy 25 in Smithville on Saturday. Brock's home was located behind the Smithville Police Department and was lost during the tornado on April 27. (Deste Lee)
A lone American flag marks the spot where the Smithville Police Department once stood along Hwy. 25. (Deste Lee)
Tupelo Police Lt. Tim Clouse gathers ride participants and Smithville residents for the donation presentations to Smithville Police Chief Darwin Hathcock on Saturday in front of the spot where the Piggly Wiggly once stood. (Deste Lee)
(Deste Lee)
The riders, many of them fellow law enforcement officers, started their ride in Tupelo, cruised around the region and wound up at the tornado-ravaged town to deliver a donation to Smithville Police Department.
"Now that's a thank you," said Tupelo Police Officer Brett Moyer as Hathcock struggled to find those two words but couldn't. "This is why we do this. This makes us feel good to be able to help one of our own in their time of need."
Moyer, a member of the Defenders Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Dixie Thunder Chapter, spearheaded the rally to raise money for the Smithville Police Department. He, along with other officers from around the state, witnessed firsthand the devastation the April 27 tornado caused when they assisted in search and recovery missions.
"I just wanted to find a way to help these people and this department after that storm," said Moyer. "And these 250 riders is what came out of that. It took all of these people to make this happen."
The police department, along with 80 percent of the town, was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado. Sixteen people in the town died in the storm. All but one of the department's four police cars were destroyed.
The group of riders didn't just pull up in Smithville with smiles and handshakes - they brought in $7,668.60. Also, Tupelo Police Chief Tony Carleton had a special donation: Smithville now has a new squad car equipped with a new engine and wrapped in a black and white Smithville Police Department logo.
"This all is just overwhelming for me," said Hathcock. "Since the tornado hit everyone has been here to help us. I know I can probably never repay all the people who have helped us, but I swear if they ever need us we will be there no questions asked."
danza.johnson@journalinc.com