Morro Bay Police Officer sworn in at local hospital

Posted: Jan 23, 2011 11:59 PM by Ariel Wesler
Updated: Jan 24, 2011 8:08 AM

The Morro Bay Police Department welcomed its newest member to the force today.

David Smith was sworn in this afternoon as the 17th officer for the Morro Bay Police Department, but this particular ceremony was held in the most unlikely of places.

As David Smith took the officer's oath, he officially joined the family of the Morro Bay Police Department--a ceremony his own family almost had to miss.

"Having a challenging pregnancy going on, I just assumed it was one of those sacrifices that you make," said Carrie Smith, David's wife.

She is nearly seven months pregnant and on complete bed rest at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center.

"Didn't even have to ask, and the chief called me up and suggested if he could come over here and do it," David said.

"For them to be so thoughtful to offer to come down here and take some time out of their weekend, out of their day to come down and be with us was just a complete blessing," Carrie said.

Fresh out of the police academy, Morro Bay hired smith 27 days after he graduated top of his class at Allan Hancock College. With a baby on the way, it couldn't come at a better time.

"She didn't stress me out about it, saying you need to get a job. She knew that God would answer our prayers and we just kept praying and we got very blessed with the opportunity with Morro Bay," David said.

"They're already here and to have that knowledge and that connection with community is really what Morro Bay is all about," said Morro Bay Police Chief Tim Olivas.

The entire family was in attendance, even Carrie's father, Commander Duane Wolfe from Vandenberg. He was killed in Iraq in 2009.

"To have my dad be able to be here in spirit and to see my husband follow a job similar to that is a really special thing for us," Carrie said. "It's a really special story we'll be able to tell our little girl whenever she arrives."

A typical ceremony in a unique place as the Smith's wait on a special delivery.

Smith will start his 14 weeks of field training on Monday.