Abilene Police Department, Kansas
End of Watch: Wednesday, November 2, 1870
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 2, 1870
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Arrested
Marshal Thomas Smith was shot and killed, and his body mutilated while he and a deputy attempted to serve a warrant.
During the incident, a shootout ensued, and Marshal Smith was wounded. The deputy then fled the area. The suspect, who remained at the scene, then decapitated Marshal Smith with an axe.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with Marshal Smith's murder; one suspect was sentenced to 12 years in the state penitentiary, the other suspect was sentenced to 16 years in state penitentiary.
Marshal Smith had been with the Abilene Police Department for one year and also held a commission as a United States Marshal; he had previously served with the New York City Police, Kit Carson Police in Colorado, as City Marshall of Bear River, Wyoming, and as a law agent for the Union Pacific Kansas Railroad line. He is buried in Abilene Cemetery, Abilene, Kansas.