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Incident
Assistant Jailer Hilton Smith was shot and killed while escorting a prisoner to the city jail.
Jailer Smith lived with his family in a cottage on the grounds of the jail at 1425 Lincoln Street. On the night of May 17th a woman came to his cottage and reported that she had been beaten by her husband. Jailer Smith accompanied the woman to her home where he arrested the man for assault.
As he escorted the man to a police call box to summon a patrol wagon the man attacked him in the area of Taylor Street, between Gadsden Street and Lincoln Street, and gained control of his service revolver. The man shot him, inflicting a wound from which Jailer Smith died the following day.
The subject was apprehended, convicted of Jailer Smith's murder, and sentenced to life in prison. South Carolina's governor commuted the sentenced to 20 years in January 1915. The man escaped from a Richland County chain gang in 1924 but was recaptured.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Assistant Jailer Smith gave the Columbia Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Jailer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Columbia Police Department has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Hilton is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Hilton is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hilton is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1910, 1 officer at Columbia Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1910, 2 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hilton was 31. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Columbia Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 41.5; the middle age was 30. Hilton had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Hilton was 31. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Hilton had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Hilton was 31. 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. Hilton had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hilton was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hilton had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 16.7% of these deaths at Columbia Police Department; July holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 33.3%.
May holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Wednesdays: 8.8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at Columbia Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Columbia Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Hilton among them.
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William Thomas Cross
Dec 21, 1855
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Hilton Theodore Smith May 18, 1910
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Henry Fort Brown
Aug 17, 1921
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James Walter Hite
Jun 25, 1934
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Cecil Williamson Watford
Jul 1, 1957
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Philip George Schlatterer
Jul 25, 1974
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Dale Edson Barkley
Jan 27, 1981
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Stacy Lynn Case
Nov 7, 2015
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Robert John Hall
Jul 14, 2020
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Tyrell Owens-Riley
Sep 24, 2022
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Christopher DeLong Jr
Aug 29, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Columbia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
