Trooper Robert G. Smith
Florida Highway Patrol
Florida
End of Watch: Saturday, July 26, 1997

Biographical Info
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Saturday, July 26, 1997
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 15 years

Trooper Smith was killed at approximately 0300 hours when his cruiser was struck from behind by a drunk driver. He had just finished a traffic stop on I-95 and was doing paperwork when the accident occurred. Shortly after impact his cruiser burst into flames and he burned to death after being trapped inside. The suspect in the incident was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in Florida State Prison. The maximum sentence he could have faced was 17 years.

Trooper Smith had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 5 years and is survived by his wife, young son and daughter. Between 1985 and 1989 Trooper Smith was a pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. In each of the previous four years he had made over 100 DUI arrests.