Kentucky State Police, Kentucky
End of Watch: Thursday, April 26, 1973
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 24 years
Badge Number: 46
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 10, 1972
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Convicted
Lieutenant William Smith died on April 4, 1973, from a gunshot wound he received on November 10, 1972.
Lieutenant Smith was attempting to arrest a murder suspect in Warren County, Kentucky, when he was shot.
The suspect was arrested, tried, and convicted of Lieutenant Smith's murder. He died in prison.
Lieutenant Smith was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Kentucky State Police for 24 years. He was survived by his wife and son, who also served as a Kentucky State Trooper.
A portion of US 31 W in Warren County has been designated the Lt. William C. Smith Memorial Highway.
He is buried at Fairview Cemetary in Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky.