Police Officer Charles T. Smith

Charles T. Smith

Police Officers Charles Smith and Gerald Hempe were shot and killed during a traffic stop.

While attempting to arrest the driver of the vehicle, a struggle ensued. During the struggle, a bystander who witnessed the stop walked up to the officers and opened fire, striking them both in the neck and head. The bystander had nothing to do with the stop.

The suspect was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences on June 12, 1973. He was denied parole in 2010 and 2023. His next parole hearing is in 2027.

Officer Smith was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Milwaukee Police Department for eight months. He was survived by his wife.