Polk County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Criminal Investigations homicide detectives are releasing a sketch of a possible suspect in the homicide of Bartow resident Tommy Smith, whose body was found in a citrus grove near Auburndale in October of 1996. Seven years ago this week, the body of Tommy Eugene Smith was discovered during the early evening hours of Friday, Oct. 11, 1996, at the edge of a citrus grove off Edison Road, off Old Berkley Road, near Auburndale. At the time of his death, Smith was a nursing supervisor at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, and previously had been employed at Winter Haven and Bartow Hospitals. An autopsy confirmed that Smith had been shot, and was a victim of foul play.

Smith was last seen alive by his brother, Ronald, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 1996. The victim's vehicle, a Jeep Wagoneer, was discovered disabled at an underpass at Berkley Road and I-4. The ongoing investigation has revealed that on the evening of Oct. 11, 1996, between the hours of 6:30-7 p.m., two white males were seen with Smith's Jeep Wagoneer parked at this  intersection (Berkley  Road and I-4).

One suspect is described as having short blond hair with a slender build, wearing a dark colored uniform-type outfit. The other suspect (see sketch) is described as having a large frame, with dark hair and also wearing a dark colored uniform-type outfit. Witnesses were able to produce the composite sketch of this second suspect.  To speak to Detective Jerry Connolly reference the case, call 534-6379.
 

 A reward of up to $1,000 may be awarded for information leading to the arrest or indictment of a suspect or suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact Polk County Crime Stoppers at
1-800-226-TIPS.
Anonymity is Guaranteed!