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Incident
Police Officer Rodney Smith drowned when his patrol car was washed into a flooded field off of Bernal Avenue.
The area had become flooded as a result of the overflowing Bayou de Chien. He was checking the area when he went missing at approximately 9:15 pm. Multiple agencies responded to the area and began a massive search. His body and patrol car were located separately in a flooded field off of Bernal Avenue the following morning.
Officer Smith is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and mother.
Survivors
Officer Smith is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Smith gave the Hickman Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hickman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Hickman Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Rodney is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Rodney is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rodney is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 1 officer in KY was lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 2018, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2018, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Rodney was 45. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. Rodney had served 3.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rodney was 45. 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. Rodney had served 3.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rodney was 45. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Rodney had served 3.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.6% of these deaths in KY; April holds the most, 13.7%. Fridays: 16.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Hickman Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 16.4% of all 984 deaths in KY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Hickman Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Rodney among them.
Where
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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hickman Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
