Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma
End of Watch Thursday, February 9, 2006
Add to My HeroesSteven Roy Smith
Trooper Steven Smith succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained almost 7 years earlier when he was shot in the neck while struggling with a suspect.
Another trooper and an officer from the Grove Police Department had responded to a cemetery to investigate reports of a murder. Shortly after arriving at the scene they were confronted by an armed man who held them at bay. Trooper Smith and the Delaware County sheriff responded to the scene to back up the officers.
As the officers negotiated with the man, he set his handgun down on a table. Trooper Smith and the sheriff took the opportunity to try and subdue the man. During the ensuing struggle, the suspect was able to grab his gun and fire it several times, wounding both officers. The man then committed suicide.
Trooper Smith's neck wound rendered him a quadriplegic. He was forced to take a medical retirement the following year and remained in a nursing home until passing away as a result of the wound.
At the time of his medical retirement, Trooper Smith had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for 5 years. He is survived by his two children.
Bio
- Age 43
- Tour 5 years
- Badge 725
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Sunday, April 25, 1999
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 217 ReflectionsGrowing up in a fire station, I got to know a lot of OK Highway Patrol officers, including Steve. He actually got me a job at a gas station and would regularly stop by to check in while on patrol. It was only a few months later after joining the Navy that I received a call he had been shot in the line of duty. It was devastating to hear about what had happened, and moreso when he passed.
He was well loved and respected by everyone who knew him. The community lost a great officer; those who knew him lost an amazing friend.
Mandy, formerly of Pryor, Ok
Federal Government, DC
August 16, 2023
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