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Incident
Sergeant Lee Smith was struck and killed while jogging on Edward Hines Drive in Westland at 10:30 am.
Sergeant Smith drove a department vehicle to an area near the Wayne County Sheriff's Mounted Barn and ran to the facility. He completed supplementary duties at the barn and ran back to his vehicle when he was hit by a car. The driver fled the scene.
The subject was sentenced to 4.5 to 15 years for reckless driving causing death, failure to stop at an injury accident scene causing death, and tampering with evidence.
Sergeant Smith had served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for 26 years, assigned to the motor and mounted units, and was due to retire at the end of August. In May, Sergeant Smith received a certificate of merit from the Westland Police Department honoring his efforts in evacuating senior citizen residents during a fire.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, two sisters, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-2RK4-V76P-1earlier record number BO-US-MI-AAB8E169- 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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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Smith gave the Wayne County Sheriff's Office 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has lost 14 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Lee is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Lee is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Lee is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 2 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 2018, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2018, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lee was 55. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Lee had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lee was 55. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Lee had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lee was 55. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Lee had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 14.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
How
Accident deaths account for 14.3% of all 14 deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has 14 officers remembered here, Lee among them.
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Charles Small Jul 6, 1857
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Thomas Clancy May 5, 1860
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Thomas Lee Wojtowicz Nov 12, 1968
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Henry C. Henderson
Mar 9, 1972
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Paul Lee Mickel
Nov 18, 1973
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Thomas Eugene Andrews
Dec 4, 1976
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William Dickerson
Sep 11, 1991
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Lee Eric Smith
Aug 14, 2018
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Donafay Collins
Mar 25, 2020
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Dean Michael Savard
Apr 3, 2020
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Bryant Searcy
Sep 2, 2020
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Benny N. Napoleon
Dec 17, 2020
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John Joseph Wojciechowski
Dec 21, 2021
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Ernest M. Robinson
Jan 18, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Wayne County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
