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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Smith was stabbed to death while attempting to arrest a wanted subject near Cleveland in Aroostook County.
The man was a known violent criminal, and Deputy Smith had been searching for him for several weeks. He learned that the man may be hiding in a barn near Long Lake in Aroostook County. He and two assistants located the man hiding beneath a pile of hay in the barn. As Deputy Smith grabbed the man's pistol, the subject pulled out a dirk and stabbed Deputy Smith in the leg several times, severing an artery.
One of Deputy Smith's assistants then shot and wounded the man before taking him into custody. Deputy Smith bled to death within 10 minutes.
The subject was charged with Deputy Smith's murder but died of Typhoid fever in September 1864 while awaiting trial.
Deputy Smith was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy Smith was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
162 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Smith served with the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bangor community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Penobscot County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in ME, 43% of the 86 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1864, 1 officer in ME was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1873, with 2.
In 1864, 20 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 161st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1864, 21 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 162nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
March holds 8.1% of these deaths in ME; January holds the most, 10.8%. Sundays: 5.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Penobscot County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; dirk, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43% of all 86 deaths in ME, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; dirk, in 2.7% 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 edged weapon; dirk, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; dirk, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Penobscot County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Penobscot County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
