Oakboro Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Monday, April 15, 1996
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 403
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 15, 1996
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30-.30
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Damon Smith was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call with the department's chief.
A nine-year-old girl had reported that her father was threatening her mother with a knife. When the two officers arrived they were ambushed from the front window by the front door. Officer Smith was shot once in the chest with a .30-.30 rifle, with the bullet penetrating his vest. The chief was also shot by the suspect but was able to return fire and wounded the man.
In October 2004 the suspect lost his last bid to remain in a state mental hospital. As a result, he pled guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was sentenced to additional time for the wounding of the police chief in the same incident.
Officer Smith was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Oakboro Police Department for 1 year. He was survived by his wife, 3-year-old son, parents and sister.
Officer Smith's badge number was retired from service at the end of his funeral service.