Chief Ronnie Smith

Chief Ronnie Smith began his career at the Lawton Police Department on September 9, 1974.

He was honorably discharged from U.S. Army in July, 1969, at the rank of Sergeant in which he served and eighteen-month tour of duty in Vietnam .  His service commendations include the Bronze Star, Air Medal with Cluster , Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal.                                  

During his almost 35 years at LPD, he has received numerous awards and commendations from his co-workers, as well as the public.  He has received Officer of the Year twice (1976 and 1985) and has also been named Supervisor of the Year twice (1991 and 1993).  He worked in the Patrol Division as a police officer, and later a Master Officer, over the first five years of his employment, and then transferred to become one of the two original full-time vice officers.  As a vice officer, he made over 1300 prostitution related arrests.  He also assisted the narcotics officers in numerous arrests and search warrant executions.

In 1979, he became a member of the revamped Tactical Team and remained on that team for 18 years.  He served as a tactical training officer, team leader, supervisor and finally the Tact Team Commander.

Smith transferred to the Detective Division in 1985.  He was instrumental in clearing the homicide of 9-year-old Jennifer Prill of Cache.  Along with Master Officer Susan Ronan , he was credited in 1987 with the arrest that led to the largest cocaine seizure in the history of the Lawton Police Department up to that time.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on December 2, 1988 and was transferred to the Service Division, serving there for 2 years.  He then was reassigned to the Uniform Division as a patrol field supervisor. He was nominated by his fellow officers and named Supervisor of the year in 1990.  He attended the Hazardous Device School at Redstone Arsenal and became one of two bomb techs for the Lawton Police Department.  In 1992, he was transferred to Special Operations as the supervisor there, also receiving his Advance Law Enforcement Certificate from the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training during this time.

He was promoted to Captain in September of 1993 and transferred back to the Patrol Division as a Watch Commander.  He received the Life Saving Award for his actions in resuscitating a child who was the victim of a house fire during that year. He served as Watch Commander, mostly on the midnight shift, until his promotion to Deputy Chief. 

Smith graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico , Virginia in April, 1996.  He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Cameron University in May of 1997.

He was promoted to Deputy Chief in October of 2002 and was over the Uniform Division until his appointment to his current position in 2005 as Chief of Police.

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Assistant Chief James Apple

Assistant Chief James Apple began his career with the Lawton Police Department in January of 1980.  During his 30+ years with the department Assistant Chief Apple was assigned to the Uniform Division as a patrolman and a Field Training Officer.  He also served as a traffic officer and a member of the Traffic Action Program.  In 1988 he transferred to the Education & Training Division where he served as a CLEET certified academy instructor and a Crime Prevention Officer.  He was instrumental in the beginning of the department's D.A.R.E. program and became national certified as a D.A.R.E. Mentor.  He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and reassigned back to the Uniform Division.  In December of 2001, he was promoted to Captain where he served as a Watch Commander.

Assistant Chief Apple has served as the Department's Federal Highway Safety and Project Under 21 (Too Much to Lose) Program Director, the Department's Fleet Supervisor, the Uniform Division's Supply Officer, and the K-9 Unit Supervisor.

He was promoted to Deputy Chief on October 2, 2006.  As the Uniform Division Commander, Assistant Chief Apple was in charge of the Uniform Division including being directly in charge of the department's Gang Unit and the department's Tactical Team.

On January 8, 2010 he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief of Police.  On January 10, 2010 Assistant Chief Apple retired from the Lawton Police Department as a commissioned officer.  On January 11, 2010 he began his duties as the Assistant Chief, returning to the department.  In his current position as the Assistant Chief of Police he assists in the planning, coordination, supervision and evaluation of the police department operations.

Assistant Chief Apple holds both an Associate Degree and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Cameron University .  Assistant Chief is a graduate of the 221^st session of the FBI National Academy , Quantico , Virginia .

Assistant Chief Apple is an Eagle Scout (class of 1975), a 32^nd degree Mason, and a recipient of the Camp Fire Sebago Award.  He is a member of the Lawton Heights United Methodist Church where he serves on the Board of Trustees, Staff-Parish Committee, and the Finance Committee.  Assistant Chief Apple was selected as the 2005 LPD Supervisor of the Year.  

He can be reached at (580) 581-3208.

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