Lawrence Smith is an African American

African American

African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...

 correctional officer on the HBO drama Oz

Oz (TV series)

Oz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series' 56 episodes . It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by premium cable network HBO. Oz premiered on July 12, 1997 and ran for six seasons...

, played by Curtis McClarin.

Character overview

He appears in only one episode in season 1 where he dies defending Warden Leo Glynn

Warden Leo Glynn

Leo Glynn is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz. He is the warden of the Oswald state correctional facility-Character overview:...

 from inmate Donald Groves

Donald Groves

Donald Groves is a fictional character on the HBO prison drama Oz, played by Sean Whitesell.-Character overview:Prisoner 97G414. Convicted July 3, 1997 - Two counts of Murder in the first degree. Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole. Convicted later August 21, 1997 - One count of Murder in...

. Groves attempted to kill Glynn as he wanted to appease Muslim inmate Kareem Said

Kareem Said

Kareem Saïd is a character played by British actor Eamonn Walker on the American television show Oz.-Character overview:Prisoner #97S444. Convicted June 6, 1997 - Arson in the second degree. Sentence: 18 years, eligible for parole in five...

. The death of Smith angers several correctional officers especially Eddie Hunt

Eddie Hunt

Eddie Hunt is a Correctional Officer on the HBO drama Oz, played by Murphy Guyer.-Character overview:He is one of the COs active in Emerald City in season 1 leading up to the riot...

who use his death as an opportunity to assault and injure several inmates for no apparent reason. As more inmates go to the hospital, Glynn suspends several COs temporarily. Groves shortly afterwards gets the death penalty and chooses to die by firing squad, which Hunt volunteers to be a part of.