Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas
End of Watch: Friday, May 15, 2015
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: JC55
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 15, 2015
Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 28 years
Auxiliary Deputy Sonny Smith was shot and killed as he and other deputies searched for a burglary suspect in the area of County Road 1723 at approximately 2:30 am.
He located the subject hiding in a wooded area and pursued him on foot. During the pursuit the man opened fire with a .22 caliber handgun, striking Deputy Smith in the neck. Despite the wound, Deputy Smith returned fire and wounded the subject. The man was then taken into custody.
Deputy Smith was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
On May 27, 2016, the 52-year-old suspect was found guilty of murder and burglary and sentenced to 28 years for murder and five years for burglary with the sentences to run concurrently.
Deputy Smith was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office for 11 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.