Lieutenant Gordon Smith Jr.
Midland Police Department
Texas
End of Watch: Tuesday, November 28, 1961

Biographical Info
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, November 28, 1961
Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Lieutenant Smith was shot and killed while chasing a sexual assault and murder suspect. The suspect jumped a fence and waited on the other side. As the officers used a barrel to climb over the fence the suspect shot Lieutenant Smith in the chest with a .357 caliber revolver he had taken from a deputy sheriff.

Although mortally wounded, Lieutenant Smith was able to return fire with his Thompson 45 submachine gun and killed the suspect.

Lieutenant Smith had been with the agency for 15 years. He was survived by his wife, five children, and father.