ARLINGTON -- The University of Texas at Arlington has named a $250,000 endowed social-work professorship for police officer Jillian Michele Smith, who was fatally shot in December by a man who killed his ex-girlfriend at the same time.
The Jillian Michele Smith Professorship in Family Violence Research will go to faculty members who study how to reduce domestic violence, university officials said.Smith, 24, graduated from UTA in 2009.Beverly Black, a professor and doctoral program director for the School of Social Work, is the professorship's first recipient."It's certainly an honor," said Black, who researches teen dating violence. "My hope is that one day there won't be any more need for research on domestic violence or adolescent dating violence -- that the issue will be been resolved."Members of the UTA School of Social Work Advisory Council committed $125,000 to the endowment, according to UTA. That was doubled by the university's Maverick Match program, which uses natural gas royalties for such purposes.Family violence "touches a lot more people than most of us have any clue," council Chairman Robert Gladney said.The endowed chair will allow researchers to examine domestic violence from different perspectives. Black's work focuses on helping adults respond when teens open up about dating abuse. She is also developing a prevention game for phones that teaches young people about dating violence.Family is honoredJillian Smith's father issued a statement through the UTA press office that the family is honored by the endowment."Anything positive that comes from the tragedy is a good thing," Doug Smith said. "If my daughter were around, she would be very pleased. Anything positive that results -- for example, better training for police officers responding to family violence calls -- would be good."Jillian Smith graduated cum laude from UTA with a bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice. She minored in sociology. She joined the Arlington police force in February 2010, graduating from the police academy in August. She had recently completed field training when she was killed.Smith was interviewing Kimberly Deshay Carter, 29, and her 11-year-old daughter about Carter's abuse complaint against Barnes Samuel Nettles when Nettles entered the apartment and began shooting. He killed Smith and Carter before killing himself. The 11-year-old was not injured.Arlington Police Chief Theron Bowman described Smith as a caring person who came from a loving family background."I know that Jillian is honored that her battle against family violence continues," Bowman said. "Her legacy is secure through the dozens of future recipients" of the professorship.Diane Smith, 817-390-7675Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
