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Incident
Sheriff Charles Smith was shot and killed by the man who had murdered Deputy Sheriff Leslie Roark, of the Moniteau County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy Sheriff Sandra Wilson, of the Miller County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Smith was shot in the 100 block of East North Street in California, Missouri, when he ran to investigate the gunshots that killed Deputy Wilson. The man was found guilty of capital murder and was executed on January 9th, 2002. Sheriff Smith was a United States Army Vietnam veteran for four tours as a Green Beret. He was elected Sheriff of Cooper County in 1984 and had previously served with the Boonville Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
Sheriff Smith was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sheriff Smith gave the Cooper County Sheriff's Office 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boonville 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 Raymond Smith served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cooper County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 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 1991, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 54. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Charles had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 54. 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 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 54. 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 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11% of these deaths in MO, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Cooper County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cooper County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Military Service
Charles Raymond Smith served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles Raymond 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 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cooper County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.