Deputy Sheriff William Francis Smithson
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
California
End of Watch: Sunday, October 20, 1907

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, October 19, 1907
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentence commuted to life

Deputy William Smithson was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man following a dispute at a local borax plant in Daggett. The man had struck the plant foreman over a pay dispute.

The foreman informed Deputy Smithson of the assault and the two, along with the foreman's wife, went to look for the suspect. They located him on a street and as Deputy Smithson began to ask how he was doing the man suddenly produced a revolver and shot him several times.

Deputy Smithson was taken to the local billiard hall, where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning.

The suspect was arrested during a search by a large posse. He was convicted of Deputy Smithson's murder and sentenced to death. The governor later commuted his sentence to life. He died in San Quentin State Prison in 1912.

Deputy Smithson had served with the agency for approximately 2 years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.