Chief of Police Charles R. Smith

Chief Smith was killed by my Great-uncle, Angram Coker, who was my grandfather's brother. I did not hear the true story of what had happened to Angram until the mid-1970s, when I was in my late teens.

Angram is buried in my grandparent's cemetery plot in the cemetery in Piedmont, not in the Coker family plot. I asked Granddad one day why Angram was not in his parents' plot and Granddad told me the story of what had happened.

Angram's parents had disowned him after the murder, and Granddad and Grandmom allowed him to be buried in their plot. Granddad and Angram's father was Piedmont's optometrist, and good friends with Chief Smith. Ironically, Chief Smith is buried directly across a narrow street from the man who murdered him. Standing on this street you can see both headstones at the same time.

It is very unfortunate what happened to Chief Smith. The Coker family extended their heart felt apologies and sympathies to the family of Chief Smith. In one final twist, it is still rumored in Piedmont that Angram was hung in his cell by Piedmont police officers, that he did not commit suicide. Either way, it saved Calhoun County and Piedmont the expense of a trial.

David Phillips

July 27, 2016