Rooney was Orlando\u2019s police chief when Michelle Parker disappeared on Nov. 17, 2011. Eleven days later, he publicly identified Smith, Parker\u2019s former fianc\u00e9, as the primary suspect.<\/p>\n
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Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney Former Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney says the arrest of Dale Smith Jr. brought a measure of relief in a case that followed him throughout his retirement.
\n\u201cThis case, I don\u2019t want to say haunted me over the years, but it\u2019s followed me over the years,\u201d Rooney told Channel 9 anchor Greg Warmoth. <\/p>\n
Current Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith called Rooney before Wednesday\u2019s news conference to tell him an arrest had been made.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was one of the best days of my life, to be honest with you,\u201d Rooney said. \u201cI was praying to God that someday we would get some kind of resolution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith is charged with second-degree murder and remains in the Orange County Jail without bond. He pleaded not guilty Thursday and has maintained his innocence.<\/p>\n
Rooney emphasized that the arrest is only the beginning of the court process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s still a lot of work ahead, the court proceedings and everything else, but it is a step in the right direction, in my opinion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Rooney said investigators focused on Smith early because of his relationship with Parker, information detectives collected and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.<\/p>\n
Parker vanished after dropping off the couple\u2019s twins at Smith\u2019s home. Her disappearance came the same day an episode of \u201cThe People\u2019s Court\u201d featuring the former couple aired.<\/p>\n
Her cellphone was later recovered beneath a bridge near Lake Conway in Belle Isle. Rooney said the phone had last connected with a cell tower in that area at about 8 p.m. the night Parker disappeared.<\/p>\n
Finding it was like locating \u201ca needle in the haystack,\u201d Rooney said.<\/p>\n
Rooney said investigators conducted searches, formed a task force with homicide detectives from across Central Florida and worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Crimeline.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think at that time, even months after that, we missed anything or could have done anything a little bit better,\u201d Rooney said. \u201cI just think that technology has grown so much over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Orlando police said advances in technology allowed investigators to conduct new analysis of digital evidence recovered from phones, computers and vehicles. Police also cited renewed witness statements and statements previously made by Smith.<\/p>\n
Rooney is no longer involved in the investigation and said he has not reviewed the current evidence. He credited the detectives who continued working the case after he left the department.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time coming,\u201d Rooney said. \u201cIt shows that it doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s 10 years, 15 years or 50 years. With DNA and all the advancements in forensics, it never ends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parker\u2019s remains have not been found. Rooney said he hopes the case will eventually provide her family with answers about what happened and where she is.<\/p>\n
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