Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Billy Smith and Deputy Sheriff Lloyd Clevenger were killed in an automobile crash while on patrol. The deputies were turning onto an on-ramp for I-40 when their vehicle was broadsided by a drunk driver who was driving without headlights on. Both deputies were killed instantly. The drunk driver was acquitted on a technicality. Deputy Smith had served with the Cocke County Sheriff's Department for four months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-BC8A4E10- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Smith served with the Cocke County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Newport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Billy Walter Smith is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cocke County Sheriff's Dept., 7 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 77.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Billy Walter Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Billy Walter Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Billy Walter Smith is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Billy Walter Smith was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Cocke County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
