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Incident
City Marshal Charles Smith was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had just committed an armed robbery. He had responded to a call of an armed robbery and observed the suspect board a passing a Pacific Electric streetcar. Marshal Smith also boarded the streetcar struck up a conversation with the man. After determining he was the same subject involved in the robbery he told the man he was under arrest. The man immediately tried to flee the streetcar as it passed through Klondike Park, a neighborhood between Ivanhoe and Elysian Heights, as Marshal Smith attempted to stop him. The man shot Marshal Smith in the neck with a .44 caliber revolver and jumped from the streetcar. Marshal Smith was taken to Receiving Hospital where he died of his wound. The suspect was later shot and killed by other detectives. The city of Tropico consolidated with the city of Glendale on January 9th, 1918, exactly three years after Marshal Smith's murder.
Survivors
Marshal Smith was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Smith served with the Tropico Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tropico community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Tropico Police Department remembered here.
Charles is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 12 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 42. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Charles was 42. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Charles was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Tropico Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
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