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Incident
Patrolman James Smith succumbed to injuries sustained four days earlier when he was involved in a motorcycle crash on Mill Street. While on patrol, Patrolman Smith's brakes failed, causing him to be propelled over the handlebars into the curb, resulting in brain damage. Patrolman Smith was a United States Army WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He had served with the Belleville Police Department for almost 3 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
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.
Patrolman Smith gave the Belleville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Belleville 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
James T. Smith served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Belleville Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
James is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1950, 4 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1950, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1950, 65 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 82nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 37. Of the 232 lost to accidents in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 41.3; the middle age was 33.5. James had served 2.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 37. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 2.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 37. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 2.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 16.7%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Belleville Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Belleville Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Military Service
James T. Smith served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit James T. 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 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Belleville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
