David Smith Payne

David Smith Payne was born on April 13, 1977 in Phoenix, Arizona. His life ended in a tragic traffic accident on October 31, 2014. While on patrol as a motorcycle police officer for the City of Chandler, he was struck and killed by another vehicle. He is survived by his beautiful daughter, ten-year-old Karinah Payne. He is also survived by his father Robert Payne, his mother LuAnn Payne, his sisters Niki Maxwell and Kelly Kennedy, his brother, Alden Payne, his grandfather, Alden Smith, his niece Rebecca Kennedy, his nephew Jacob Kennedy, his brothers-in-law Joshua Maxwell and Stephen Kennedy, and his stepson Austin Sherman. David graduated from Mesa High School in 1995. David loved sports and while in high school he participated in basketball, football, tennis, and baseball. He was very musical. He played the drums, the piano, and he had a beautiful singing voice. David loved outdoor activities. He loved to hike, camp, hunt and fish. After graduating from High School, David joined the Arizona Army National Guard. He was a graduate of the Army Medical Specialist Course and was a certified Combat Medic. He was deployed two times in support of Iraqi Freedom, once in 2003, and again in 2007. He was also mobilized in 2005 for emergency relief operations following Hurricane Katrina. He received 17 awards for honorary military service. At the time of his death he was a Staff Sergeant with the Arizona Medical Detachment. David was proud of his service to his country as a member of the Arizona National Guard. David worked full time for the following law enforcement agencies: The Maricopa County Adult Probation Department, the City of Mesa as a Park Ranger, the City of Chandler Police Department as a Detention Officer, and finally, he worked for the City of Chandler as a Police Officer.

While working as a Police Officer, he attended a number of schools and was certified in drug identification, phlebotomy, DUI, and traffic investigation. David was a gifted teacher and enjoyed teaching other Police Officers about drugs, DUI, and traffic investigation. David was proud to be a police officer for the City of Chandler. He took great satisfaction in helping others. David had a lot of friends, whom he loved and with whom he found joy being with. David loved his family and some of his most important memories are of family activities. The viewing for David will be Friday, November 7, 2014; between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, at the Valley of the Sun Mortuary, 10940 East Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Arizona, 85248. The funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Chandler Center for the Arts 250 N. Arizona Ave. in Chandler, Arizona. The Interment will be Saturday afternoon, November 8, 2014 at the Valley of the Sun Cemetery at 10940 East Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Arizona. The funeral service and the graveside service will be conducted by Ivan Haynie, Bishop, Udall Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In Lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the 100 Club of Arizona, 5033 North 19th Ave. Ste. 123, Phoenix, Arizona 85015. The 100 Club is an outstanding not-for-profit organization that provides support services to families of First Responders.