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Incident
Officer Damon Smith was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call with the department's chief. A nine-year-old girl had reported that her father was threatening her mother with a knife. When the two officers arrived they were ambushed from the front window by the front door. Officer Smith was shot once in the chest with a .30-.30 rifle, with the bullet penetrating his vest. The chief was also shot by the suspect but was able to return fire and wounded the man. In October 2004 the suspect lost his last bid to remain in a state mental hospital. As a result, he pled guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was sentenced to additional time for the wounding of the police chief in the same incident. Officer Smith was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Oakboro Police Department for 1 year. He was survived by his wife, 3-year-old son, parents and sister. Officer Smith's badge number was retired from service at the end of his funeral service.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 3-year-old son, parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
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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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Damon 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.
Patrolman Smith gave the Oakboro Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakboro 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
Damon Franklin Smith served in the U.S. Army (1986â1989) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Damon is the only officer of Oakboro Police Department remembered here.
Damon is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Damon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Damon 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 1996, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Damon was 29. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Damon had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Damon was 29. 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. Damon had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Damon was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Damon had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Oakboro Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Military Service
Damon Franklin Smith served in the U.S. Army (1986–1989) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Damon Franklin 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 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Oakboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.