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Incident
Officer Charles Smetana was killed in a single-vehicle car crash while responding to the report of a traffic accident with injuries.
His patrol car struck a bridge pillar on I-75 at Sixteen Mile.
Officer Smetana was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Troy Police Department for three years and had previously served with the Detroit Police Department for three years.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Charles is one person.
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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.
Officer Smetana gave the Troy Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Troy community. Thank you 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 E. Smetana served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Troy Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles 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 1969, 3 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1969, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1969, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 34. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 34. 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. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 34. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 6.3% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Thursdays: 14.7%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Troy Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, 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
Troy Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Military Service
Charles E. Smetana served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles E. Smetana’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 64-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Troy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
