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Incident
Chief of Police Charles Smith was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance call at a local house on Piedmont Avenue. As he and Officer Augusta Kimberly left the house, they observed a man holding a shotgun. Chief Smith asked the man what he was doing and was answered with gunfire. He was struck by two blasts from the gun. Both officers returned fire but did not strike the suspect. Chief Smith was taken to a doctor but died the following day. The man was arrested a short time later. The suspect committed suicide by hanging himself with bed sheets following his preliminary hearing. Chief Smith was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Piedmont Police Department for five years. He was survived by his two sisters. On August 27, 1934, Officer F. Augusta Kimberly was shot and killed in the line of duty in the exact location.
Survivors
He was survived by his two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Smith gave the Piedmont Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Piedmont community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles R. Smith served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Piedmont Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 3 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 51. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Charles had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 51. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 51. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Sundays: 15.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Piedmont Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Piedmont Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Military Service
Charles R. Smith served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles R. Smith’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Piedmont Police Department are honored on badge.nw.