Investigator Thomas Jay Smith, Tarrant County Sheriff's Department, Texas

Investigator Thomas Jay Smith

Tarrant County Sheriff's Department, Texas

End of Watch Wednesday, September 17, 1997

Thomas Jay Smith

Investigator Thomas Smith and Lieutenant George Hendrix were killed when their Bell OH-58A helicopter crashed at Kenneth Copeland Airport.

Lieutenant Hendrix was piloting the aircraft, one of two donated to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office by the United States military.

Witnesses stated that the helicopter had just taken off when it plummeted straight down. Bystanders pulled both deputies from the wreckage and administered CPR but were unable to save them due to intensive spinal, head, and internal injuries.

Bio

Age 45
Tour 12 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Aircraft accident

Most Recent Reflection

View all 11 Reflections

Investigator Smith,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your Partner for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Tarrant County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 17, 2017