Bio & Incident Details
Age: 27
Tour: 4 years
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 9/9/1956
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: Both shot and killed
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Officer Charles Smith was shot and killed while frisking one of two suspects. He had just stopped a vehicle for speeding on U.S. Highway 99 near Orland and decided to investigate further. Unbeknownst to Officer Smith, the two occupants were AWOL Marines who had been on a crime spree. As he frisked one of the men the second man shot him in the back. Although mortally wounded, Officer Smith was able to draw his weapon and fatally shoot both suspects.
Officer Smith had served as a military policeman with the US Marine Corps before joining the California Highway Patrol. He had served with the California Highway Patrol for four years.
