Ed Smith, an investigator with the Warren County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, was named as the Investigator of the Year by the Missouri Investigators Association on May 21.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Ed Smith, an investigator with the Warren County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, was named as the Investigator of the Year by the Missouri Investigators Association on May 21. The award follows his recognition as the Outstanding Support Staff of the Year by the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in August 2024.
Smith was nominated for the award by Darrell Moore, the executive director of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
“Our office was tasked with clearing over 100 cases set for trial in a six-month time frame. Mr Smith went above and beyond to locate witnesses, rehabilitate their relationship with the office and coordinate their appearances,” wrote Moore in his nomination. “In addition, Mr. Smith was able to be the bridge that was needed between law enforcement officers and our office to gather further evidence, statements and completion of reports and interviews.”
Smith has worked with the office since 2023 following an extensive career in law enforcement working several agencies including the O’Fallon Police Department.
He received the award for his work with the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, which was brought in after former Prosecuting Attorney Kelly King’s departure to aid the office with a backlog of cases.
Under interim Prosecuting Attorney Keith Freie he was responsible for helping attorneys with the MOPS office clear a backlog of over 100 cases.
“When MOPS came in, it was a backlog of cases, and it was a lot of child cases, it was a lot of domestic assaults,” said Smith.
As an investigator, Smith helps attorneys and law enforcement officers build cases against defendants including interviewing victims and aiding in the subpoena process to prepare cases for trial.
“It’s all about trial prep, and so basically helping all those attorneys from MOPS and getting the material ready for trial,” said Smith.
Interim Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger also commended Smith’s efforts and said he was instrumental in bringing those cases to trial.
“His enthusiasm is legendary, and he makes our county safer by coming to work every day,” said Shellabarger. “Also, he’s a real person – he can translate the way we speak as lawyers into something explainable to everyday people: jurors, officers, witnesses and citizens.”
While he no longer works as a law enforcement officer, Smith was glad he was able to use his experience to help officers in Warren County work through their caseload, and said his work as investigator continues to be rewarding.
“I get to see the other side of it, the finished product, which is helping victims,” said Smith. “Talking to witnesses, and saying that hey, this crime happened to you, we were able to do something about it. So I look at it now like, man what a cool job, because I get to see the final wheels of justice.”
