Foster Police Department, Rhode Island
End of Watch: Thursday, June 21, 1832
Age: 83
Tour of Duty: 40 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: June 21, 1832
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Axe
Suspect Info: Executed
Town Sergeant John Smith was killed as he attempted to arrest a man who was wanted by Connecticut authorities for being a debtor.
The Connecticut authorities had tracked the man into Rhode Island, where he had taunted and threatened them with a weapon. Rhode Island authorities swore out a warrant for the man on the charge that he threatened the officers, and Town Sergeant Smith and a small posse went to enforce the warrant.
When Town Sergeant Smith approached the wanted man, however, the man attacked him with an ax. The man struck Town Sergeant Smith between the shoulder blades, killing him, and then struck him again in the back of the neck.
The assailant then attacked the posse and fled the scene. He was later arrested at the house of a local resident after he bragged about his crime.
The assailant was tried and convicted of killing Town Sergeant Smith. He was sentenced to death and hanged on December 27, 1833.
Town Sergeant Smith was around 83 years old at the time of his death. He had served as the Town Sergeant of Foster for over 40 years, and also acted as a deputy sheriff. He was survived by his wife and two children.