Fort Smith Police Department, Arkansas
End of Watch: Saturday, March 21, 1931
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 21, 1931
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1945
Detective Booth was shot and killed while transporting two men to jail. Detective Booth and another detective had stopped a car at Towson Avenue and South E Street. The car contained two men that were known to the detectives. The other detective left the scene to pickup their captain and Detective Booth began to ride to the jail in the suspects' vehicle. Unbeknownst to the detectives, the men had just stolen the vehicle.
Immediately after turning onto Rogers Avenue a shootout ensued inside of the vehicle and Detective Booth was shot once. Detective Booth exited the passenger side of the car on Rogers Avenue and ran around to the driver's side. The men also exited the passenger side and one of them fired across the hood of the car, striking Detective Booth three more times. Although mortally wounded, Detective Booth attempted to follow the men but collapsed in a nearby car dealership. He was transported to St. Edward Hospital where he died 30 minutes later.
The suspects, ages 18 and 23, were apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. Both were paroled in 1945.
Detective Booth had been with the agency for 20 years.