News
News

Slain officer’s girlfriend: 'We didn’t quite make it'

Proposal expected on upcoming trip to Disney
Nicholas Smarr is pictured with his girlfriend, Rachel Harrod. The two were planning a trip to Disney World, where Harrod suspected they might become engaged. Photo Courtesy Rachel Harrod.
Nicholas Smarr is pictured with his girlfriend, Rachel Harrod. The two were planning a trip to Disney World, where Harrod suspected they might become engaged. Photo Courtesy Rachel Harrod.
By Mark Davis
Dec 9, 2016

Rachel Harrod should have been making final plans for a trip to Disney World this week with her boyfriend, Nicholas Smarr. Instead, she was visiting an Americus funeral home preparing to bury him.

Smarr was one of two officers killed in a shootout Wednesday with a gunman in the small southwest Georgia city of Americus. The other officer, Jody Smith, died the following day. Friends and roommates, they had been responding to a domestic disturbance call.

Smarr and Harrod were set to leave Sunday for Disney World, where Harrod anticipated getting an engagement ring.

“I had a feeling about it,” she said. “I’d always dreamed of getting a ring at Disney World.”

“We didn’t quite make it,” she added.

ExploreLearn more about the officers and the deadly shooting at myajc.com

About the Author

Mark Davis
More Stories

Keep Reading

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, among others, will no longer be considered fee-free days at U.S. National Parks. While the MLK National Historic Park in Atlanta doesn't charge admission, the new schedule will affect such metro Atlanta sites as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

MLK Day, Juneteenth cut from national parks’ free days; Trump’s birthday added

The Trump administration has altered which days national parks will allow free entry for residents and citizens next year.

LISTEN

‘It’s UATL’ podcast: Holy Booty: The Weight of Beauty Standards

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play ‘It’s UATL’” podcast.

More of the AJC’s in-depth coverage of Atlanta’s plans for international event

The Latest

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, among others, will no longer be considered fee-free days at U.S. National Parks. While the MLK National Historic Park in Atlanta doesn't charge admission, the new schedule will affect such metro Atlanta sites as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

MLK Day, Juneteenth cut from national parks’ free days; Trump’s birthday added

Sweet Tea: To care is human

LISTEN

‘It’s UATL’ podcast: Holy Booty: The Weight of Beauty Standards

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP

A tiny nation qualified for its first World Cup. Cape Verde has fans here

Cape Verde, competing in its first World Cup, will take on the world's No. 1 team in Spain at 12 p.m. on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Georgia subdues a nemesis in rolling past Crimson Tide for SEC championship

Georgia notched its best win of the season at the perfect time, finally vanquishing Alabama in Atlanta and taking home the SEC Championship for the second straight year.