Quinlan Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Sunday, September 18, 1983
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 10 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 18, 1983
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Patrolman Billy Smelley succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained ten days earlier when a prisoner gained control of another officer's weapon inside the police station at 104 Main Street and shot both officers.
Patrolman Smelley had arrested the subject for DWI and was in the process of booking him when the incident occurred. He succumbed to his wound while being transported to the hospital.
The subject committed suicide outside of the police station.
Patrolman Smelley had served with the Quinlan Police Department for 10 months. He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.