Barbourville Police Department, Kentucky
End of Watch Wednesday, October 25, 1967
Add to My HeroesJames Vallard Smith
Night Chief Jim Smith was accidentally shot and killed by another officer while struggling with a drunk driving suspect.
Chief Smith and three other officers in his patrol car had pursued the vehicle to Gillam Hill, where they forced it to stop. When Chief Smith approached the driver, the man punched him in the face. A second officer then struck the driver on the head with the butt of his service revolver, which was then discharged. The round struck Chief Smith in the head, killing him.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested and held on a drunk driving charge.
Chief Smith was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He was survived by his wife, child, five brothers, and five sisters.
Bio
- Age 39
- Tour 12 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsRest In Peace Brother. We remember and honor you on the 50th anniversary of your E.O.W.
Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA
October 25, 2017
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Kyle Hicks
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: April 24, 2024
Investigator John Hampton Coddou, III
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 23, 2024
Police Officer Jordan Wingate
Oakland Police Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Police Officer Luis M. Huesca
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Tobin Bolter
Ada County Sheriff's Office, ID
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Alfredo "Freddy" Flores
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Investigator Brian Herbert
Osage Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: April 17, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar
Hendricks County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: April 16, 2024
Police Officer Michael E. Jensen
Syracuse Police Department, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024