Sheila Smith was five years old when her father, George Smith a sergeant with the Sarnia Police force, shot and killed Norman "Red" Ryan -- the notorious Toronto gangster in the early 20th century. She's now in a nursing home and has donated a number of her fathers items to the Sarnia Historical Society and Sarnia Police Service. Historical Society President Ron Reale-Smith says they have to go through all of it now and document what's there. "The scrapbook that we have, has original documentation of letters between George and officials in government after Red Ryan was killed," says Reale-Smith. "It was a national story." The Depression-era gangster, who fooled the Prime Minister into releasing him from the Kingston Penitentiary in 1935, was shot three times by Smith inside a Sarnia liquor store on May 23, 1936. Reale-Smith says they were also given letters between Smith and his friends. "Some ex-war buddies and co-workers. There's even one of his original resume when he applied to the Sarnia Police Service. It's just a handwritten letter from a buddy of his that says 'I know George real well, he's a great guy and you should hire him. It's really intriguing to look at." He says Smith's war memorabilia has also been donated. "George served in the first World War. So we've got all of his medals and his hat from when he served." Reale-Smith says volunteers will be photographing and scanning the items and working on a plan to display the collection.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Historical Society President Ron Reale-Smith and Sarnia Police Constable John Sottosanti show off a collection of personal effects from George Smith donated recently. May, 2017 (Photo by Melanie Irwin)
