Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Cal Smith was shot and killed by a man from ambush near Court Street.
The suspect had been arrested earlier for being drunk and disruptive. After being released on bail he secured a rifle and went looking for the arresting officer. Mistaking Patrolman Smith for the arresting officer, he shot him dead.
The suspect, son of a local prominent judge, was tried and acquitted. On October 24, 1899, he shot and killed his mistress at a saloon in Paducah, and then shot and killed himself.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-F02AF901- 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
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Smith served with the Paducah Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Paducah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Calvin C. Smith is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Paducah Police Department, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Calvin C. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Calvin C. Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Calvin C. Smith is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Calvin C. Smith was killed by rifle; winchester.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Paducah Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
