Charlotte Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Thursday, January 15, 1987
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 15, 1987
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Police Officer Robert Smith was shot and killed after he and other officers responded to a report of a man firing a gun into a condo complex at 0110 hours.
During the search for the suspect Officer Smith located him and shined his flashlight on him. When he did this the suspect opened fire with a rifle, striking Officer Smith four times. Other officers responded to the sound of the gun shots and returned fire, wounding the suspect.
The 32-year-old man was taken into custody and sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Smith had served with the Charlotte Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife, mother, sister, and two brothers.