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Incident
Policeman Grant Smith was shot and killed from ambush by two men whom he had previously arrested for violating liquor laws. The men had been released on bond the previous day.
He was walking home through a schoolyard when he was shot in the back by a blast from a shotgun. The two men and two accomplices were arrested and charged with his murder.
Policeman Smith had been serving as the acting policeman for the city of Evarts at the time of his murder and was a deputy with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and is buried in Turner Cemetery in Verda, Kentucky.
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.
Policeman Smith served with the Evarts Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Evarts community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Evarts Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Grant is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Grant is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Grant 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 1929, 18 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Grant was 45. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Grant was 45. 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.
Grant was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 6.2% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Fridays: 12.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Evarts Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Evarts Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Grant among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Evarts Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
