Smithfield Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Friday, May 16, 1902
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: May 14, 1902
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Chief of Police Thadeus E. Davis succumbed to an accidental gunshot wound sustained earlier when his gun fell from his pocket and discharged; the round striking him in the hip.
He had just arrested a man wanted for murder in Isle of Wight County and was walking him to the jail when the accident occurred.
He was transported to St. Vincent's Hospital in Norfolk, where he succumbed to the wound two days later.
Chief Davis was a member of the Smithfield military company. He was survived by his wife and four children.