Venegas-Smith Tragedy in Polk County

911 CARES,

On March 4, 2010 Polk County Sheriff’s Office Telecommunications Operator Maria Venegas-Smith #6675 and her family suffered a tragic loss of their home to fire and smoke damage. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire and their immediate family members responded to assist them with their needs. Members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and assisted the Venegas-Smith family with support and security.

I have temporarily established the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Telecommunications Center in the Lawrence W. Crow Operations Center (455 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL, 33830) as a donation drop off point for all agency members and others to help the Venegas-Smith family with clothing, money, gift cards to local businesses (Wal-Mart, Publix, etc.) and toys for the children. Any checks/cash & gift card donations can be temporarily made to the on-duty Desk Sergeant at 863-534-6338. I have listed the clothing sizes for the family members below to help select your donation choices.

Adult Sizes

Father/Husband – Louis Venegas –                        Mother/Wife – Maria Venegas-Smith -
Shirt – Extra large                                                             Shirt – Medium
Pants – Waist 36-38 / length – 41                                   Pants – 10 -12
Shoes – 9 ½ - 10                                                              Shoes - 7 ½

Child Sizes

Daughter – Ninyetta Smith (8 years-old) –            Daughter – Leah Smith (6 years-old)
Shirt – 10 -12                                                                      Shirt – 4T
Pants – 10 -12                                                                     Pants – 4T (5-6 x)
Shoes – 4                                                                            Shoes – 1

Daughter – Ariana Venegas (4 years-old) –
Shirt – 4T / 5 regular
Pants – 4T / 5 regular
Shoes - 12

Any help for Maria and her family would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Dr. Jerry Connolly, Ph.D., C.P.M.
Patrol Lieutenant
Southeast District Delta Platoon
Department of Law Enforcement
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
www.polksheriff.org
jconnolly@polksheriff.org
863-534-6291, Office