Columbus County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina
End of Watch Tuesday, May 13, 1930
Add to My HeroesHoke Baird Smith
Deputy Sheriff Hoke Smith succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained five months earlier when four men came to his house near Clarkton and shot him.
The murder was in retaliation for Deputy Smith's involvement in a raid on an illegal whiskey still in Welches Creek township.
The four suspects all pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and were sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison. One was paroled on January 10th, 1936. Another escaped from prison in October of 1930 and was captured in April of 1933 in Oklahoma. He escaped again on April 12th, 1939, but was quickly recaptured. He was paroled on February 13th, 1943.
Deputy Smith was survived by his wife, three sons, and five daughters.
Bio
- Age 36
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Tuesday, December 31, 1929
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to 25 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsDeputy Sheriff Smith,
On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Columbus County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
May 13, 2020
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