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David Miller Smith
Incident
Special Investigator David Smith succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on December 7th, 1927, when he was inadvertently shot by a Beaver County constable while making an arrest.
He and the constable were conducting a prohibition investigation and had arranged to purchase alcohol from a bootlegger at the Legionville Bridge (the modern-day location of Duss Avenue and Legionville Road). As they attempted to arrest the man the constable slipped down a muddy ravine and his pistol inadvertently discharged. The round struck Investigator Smith in the hip. He was taken to a local hospital and was expected to recover, however, he developed an infection and died on March 17th, 1928.
The constable was charged with manslaughter but the charges were later dropped.
Investigator Smith was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Investigator Smith was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Special Investigator Smith served with the Beaver County District Attorney's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Beaver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Investigator Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Beaver County District Attorney's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
David is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
David is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David 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 1928, 13 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1928, 103 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1928, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 44. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38.
David was 44. 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.
David was 44. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
March holds 9.1% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 14.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Beaver County District Attorney's Office.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, 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
Beaver County District Attorney's Office has 2 officers remembered here, David 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
1 officer from Beaver County District Attorney's Office are honored on badge.nw.
