Russell Gorden Smith former Sparta police chief dies

Russell "Gordon" Smith, age 70, died at home at Chincoteague Island, Va. on Friday April 22, following a short illness. Born on June 28, 1934 in Morristown New Jersey, He was the son of the late Russell E. Smith and Miriam R. Smith of Atlantic Beach, Florida. Smith was a Police Officer, Sergeant and then the Chief of Police for the Township of Sparta, where he resided until he retired in 1988 and moved to Chincoteague Island. Smith was a graduate of William Paterson College, Wayne, the New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt, and the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Va. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elizabeth P. Smith, three sons, Russell Smith of Stillwater, Randal Smith of Chincoteague Island, and Ronald Smith of Andover, five grand children and two great-granddaughters and a sister, Marilyn Laye, of Atlantic Beach, Fla. A service was held at the Christ United Methodist Church in Chincoteague Island Va.