Oregon Department of Corrections, Oregon
End of Watch: Friday, April 11, 1969
Age: 44
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: April 9, 1969
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Committed
Officer Schmitt succumbed to stab wounds sustained two days earlier after being attacked by an inmate with a knife at the Oregon State Penitentiary.
The inmate stabbed him ten times in the neck and chest. Officer Schmitt was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The 24-year-old suspect, charged with murder, was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was transferred to the state mental hospital. On July 5, 1984, the hospital barber was cutting his hair when he grabbed his scissors and stabbed him. The barber recovered.
Officer Schmitt served with U.S. Navy during WWII.