MATTHEWS, N.C. — Officer Quincy Smith was shot by a suspect in his neck and arm while out on a call in 2016 in small-town Estill, South Carolina. He returned to his law enforcement calling and is currently an officer with the Matthews Police Department.
Smith was nominated as a Hyundai Hometown Hero and is the latest winner. To help pull off the surprise, Matthews Police Department spokesperson Tim Aycock called Smith on his day off. He asked him to come to the police station to take publicity photos. Aycock also planned to have Smith help a fellow officer on a traffic stop who needed his help.
“There’s some issue with a car out here she’s got stopped. Just one female. She’s a really nice lady. She said there’s something going on with the registration. So will you back her up when you get over here?” Aycock said when he called Smith on the phone.
Smith responded to the scene of the staged traffic stop within minutes.
The officer explained to Smith that she stopped the car because of the registration.
“She's not the owner of the car. I’m really confused by what she’s telling me about the car,” the officer told Smith. “I just wanted to see if you can talk to her real quick and see what you can get from her.”
And that’s where WCNC Charlotte anchor Jane Monreal stepped in as she was waiting in a brand new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe.
"Hi officer," Monreal said as Smith approached the car.
"What's the deal with the car?" Smith asked.
"I'm waiting for the owner," Monreal explained. "This is not my car."
"OK," Smith responded. "So who is the owner?"
"It looks like you are the owner," Monreal said.
Fellow officers and representatives from Charlotte Area Hyundai Dealers walked out of the building with thunderous applause for Smith.
"Officer Smith, you are a true inspiration to this community, and on behalf of the Charlotte Area Hyundai Dealers, we'd like to present you with a brand new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe," Jim Morrelli with Charlotte Area Hyundai Dealers said.
As Morrelli handed Smith the keys to his new car, Smith smiled and shook his head in disbelief.
But what exactly makes Smith a Hyundai Hometown Hero?
He bounced back to his career.
When Smith was shot in 2016, he was hit several times by the suspect. Police said that suspect tried to rob a customer at a convenience store.
The video was captured on Smith's camera attached to his goggles and went viral nationwide.
He could have bounced out of law enforcement. Nobody would have blamed him. But instead, Smith returned to duty.
“I’m just grateful that I’m still alive and I’m still here today to do the job that I want always wanted to do,” Smith said.
Matthews Police Chief Mike Clesceri said he couldn't be more proud to have Smith on the force.
“To survive a violent event like you did, and then have the will to survive and come back and do this job, it's just a pretty special story. So I couldn't think of a better person to award this to," Clesceri said.
As Smith looked at his brand-new car, it was beyond anything he ever could have imagined.
"Wow," Smith said. "Just wow."
“I think he's still in disbelief even after we rode around. It's incredible what we do with this program and just give back to people who give back to the community. And I mean he’s a true inspiration," Morrelli said.
It’s that attitude and dedication that earned Smith a brand-new car and the title of Hyundai Hometown Hero.
Smith is the son of a former NYPD officer and said protecting and serving the community is in his blood, and he's glad to continue his career in law enforcement.