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Incident
Lieutenant Gordon Smith was shot and killed while chasing a sexual assault and murder suspect. The suspect jumped a fence and waited on the other side. As the officers used a barrel to climb over the fence the suspect shot Lieutenant Smith in the chest with a .357 caliber revolver he had taken from a deputy sheriff. Although mortally wounded, Lieutenant Smith was able to return fire with his Thompson 45 submachine gun and killed the suspect. Lieutenant Smith was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII and had been wounded twice in action while serving in the Pacific. He had served with the Midland Police Department for 15 years and had previously served with the Sherman Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and father.
In Our Keeping
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neuraspine_01krbxtprbehn3014r7h2ad0wr- Stewardship
- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Gordon is one person.
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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.
Lieutenant Smith gave the Midland Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Midland 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
Gordon Smith Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Midland Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Gordon is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Gordon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gordon 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 1961, 5 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gordon was 41. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Gordon had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Gordon was 41. 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. Gordon had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gordon was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gordon had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.3%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Midland Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Midland Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Gordon among them.
Military Service
Gordon Smith Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gordon Smith Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Midland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
