Staff Writer
On Feb.6, 2008, Barbara Smith’s husband, Darrell, 56, was murdered in the vicinity of his own residence in Woodland. Although the investigation into Smith’s death continues, no arrests have been made. Earlier this fall, Detective Sgt. John E. Cote, representing the Maine State Police Criminal Investigation Div. strayed from normal protocol, and released specific information regarding the on-going investigation to media representatives. It was during this meeting that Det. Sgt. Cote stated, “ A frustration among investigators is the apparent common knowledge among a segment of the greater Woodland community claiming to know who is responsible for the murder. Although some members of the public will speak openly about who is responsible, no one has come forward with solid, direct, credible information to assist investigators — a little bit of information from the right person and this case will come together.”
At the time it was announced that Smith’s family had increased the amount of reward money offered, from the initial $30,000 to $40,000, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Darrell Smith. This reward amount was said to be a record amount for any State Police case.
Recently Barbara Smith has set up a second source of reward money — the Darrell Smith Public Reward Fund, Inc.
Legally arranged this public reward fund is in addition to the family reward. Through this new fund, friends, family, and the general public from surrounding communities or elsewhere may contribute to the public reward offered to anyone responsible for assisting, through information provided to investigators, in the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) who is responsible for Darrell Smith’s death.
All monies donated will be held in an account at the Aroostook County Federal Savings and Loan Association. If the reward is not needed, all donations will be refunded. This is a non-profit corporation and donations are tax deductible.
“We are just hoping that this extra reward money just might convince somebody to come forward with the right pieces of information the investigation is missing. This public fund is separate from the other $40,000 reward that is still being offered.”
On Monday, Smith announced that the Darrell Smith Public Reward Fund, Inc., recently received a very generous donation and that the fund account reward is currently at an estimated $10,800.
Donations to the Darrell Smith Public Reward Fund, Inc. may be mailed to: Aroostook County Federal Savings and Loan Association, P.O. Box 808, Caribou, ME. 04736-0808.
Members of the public are encouraged to call the Maine State Police at 1-800-924-2261 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-638-TIPS with any information regarding the murder case.
