Police Officer Claude C. Smith

Police Officer Claude C. Smith | St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri
Police Officer Claude C. Smith

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri

End of Watch Wednesday, April 24, 1974

Add to My Heroes

Claude C. Smith

Police Officer Claude Smith was shot and killed while assisting a sheriff's deputy search for a wanted man on the eighth floor of a building in the Vaughn Housing Project, at 1101 North 18th Street.

During the search, an unrelated man mistook Officer Smith for a child molester believed to be in the area and shot him. Officer Smith was off duty when he agreed to assist the sheriff's deputy.

Officer Smith had been a member of the St. Louis Police Department for seven years and is survived by his wife and 6-month-old son.

Bio

  • Age 28
  • Tour 7 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Not available

off duty, plainclothes

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 13 Reflections

Your dedicated and selfless actions are the definition of heroism. Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always and may God Bless your family and loved ones always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

April 24, 2021

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.

Recent LODD Deaths