Clarence J. Smith, who guided the Town of Montgomery Police Department during its days when it was strictly staffed by part-timers, was remembered fondly following his passing.

Smith died on January 13 at Garnet Health Medical Center. He was 91.

“He was the one who began the formation of the advanced police department,” said Glenn Schoonmaker, who succeeded Smith as police chief in 1981. “I give him a lot of credit, I took over a solid foundation.

Smith served as the town’s police chief from 1978 until 1981. In those days, the police headquarters was located in the basement of the former Montgomery Town Hall at the corner of Main and Oak Street in Walden.

Schoonmaker recalled that Smith was very dedicated to providing proper training to young police officers. The staff grew to approximately 25-30 and eventually began adding full-time officers.

Smith is survived by his wife, Jane L. Hammond Smith, two sons, four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He was laid to rest January 18 at the Orange County Veterans Cemetery in Goshen.