Street Named After Officer Courtney F. Smith

P.O. Courtney Smith Way was officially unveiled on South Broadway in Nyack on Saturday, February 21, at 2 p.m., honoring the heroic legacy of late Officer Courtney F. Smith. Dozens of family members, community residents, and county officials gathered for the ceremony, which was met with clear skies and sunshine, offering a welcome contrast to the heavy rain the day before and the blizzard that followed on Sunday.

Among the speakers were Smith’s daughter, Diahann Smith-Roberts, U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler, New York State Senator Bill Weber, and Rockland County Legislator Dana Stilley. Each reflected on Officer Smith’s lasting impact on the Nyack community and his decades of public service.

Courtney F. Smith was born on February 10, 1938 in Manhattan, New York, to Daniel and Corrinne F. Smith. He later moved with his family to Nyack, where he graduated from Nyack Public Schools in 1956. Early in his career, Smith worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office before spending more than 20 years employed by American Cyanamid–Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River.

Smith also served the community as a dedicated member of the South Nyack Police Department for 23 years, retiring in 1989. In addition, he was a member of the Rockland County P.B.A. and a former member of the Westchester/Rockland Guardians Association.

Jalen Roberts, 18, Smith’s grandson, shared a deeply personal reflection. “Other than my dad, [Smith] was the most prominent male figure in my life,” Roberts said. “I hope that every day I make my grandfather proud. He is the kind of man I strive to be.”

Selena Roberts, 26, Smith’s granddaughter, described him as “such a humble man,” adding that she wished she had asked him more questions while he was alive.

Constance Fraiser, former Rockland County Commissioner of Human Rights and a close family friend, emphasized Smith’s character and approach to service. “He was a community officer first,” Fraiser said. “He really strove to set an example and bring people together. Courtney was a servant leader who led with love.”