Memphis Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch Saturday, June 4, 2016
Add to My HeroesVerdell Smith, Sr.
Police Officer Verdell Smith was struck and killed by a vehicle whose driver had been involved in a triple shooting approximately 30 minutes earlier.
The man, who had been seen talking to himself loudly, suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot two customers outside of a restaurant on North Main Street shortly before 10:00 pm. Several citizens then chased the man on foot a short distance to a sporting goods store parking lot, where the man shot an employee and fled in a car, as officers arrived on the scene.
Responding officers pursued the vehicle, which started driving the wrong way down B. B. King Boulevard, which had been closed to vehicle traffic for a street festival. As the pursuit entered the area Officer Smith and other officers attempted to clear the street and sidewalks of pedestrians, but the vehicle crashed through a barrier and struck him.
The man was taken into custody after striking Officer Smith. He was charged three counts of attempted murder and one count of murder.
Officer Smith was a U.S Navy veteran and had served with the Memphis Police Department for 18 years. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He is survived by his children, fiancee, and father.
Bio
- Age 46
- Tour 18 years
- Badge 3591
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Weapon Automobile
- Offender Charged with murder
Most Recent Reflection
View all 208 ReflectionsRest easy
Mark Mottola
June 4, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024