Charles Randal Smith
Detective

Charles Randal Smith

Felonious
End of Watch April 16, 2003
Age 32
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 150 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Randy Smith was shot and killed while he and other officers attempted to serve a search warrant and arrest warrant on a man wanted for escaping from the parish jail.

The officers had received information that the suspect was in a trailer owned by the family at 213 Point Street in Mamou. When the officers arrived, the family refused to let the officers in so the officers waited at the scene while a warrant was sworn out.

Once the warrant was received Detective Smith and a second deputy attempted to enter the house, but the suspect opened fire and shot Detective Smith in the chest. Detective Smith was able to make it to a yard next door before collapsing. Other officers were unable to make it to his location because the suspect was pinning them down with gunfire. The suspect eventually came out of the home holding his gun and was shot and killed. By the time rescue personnel were able to make it to Detective Smith's location, he had died.

Detective Smith had been served with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department for three years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and 10-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-2FD53E6D
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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Smith gave the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ville Platte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Smith.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Ville Platte, Evangeline Parish, LA
Platform Identity epso.evangeline.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 16, 2003
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 32
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .380 caliber

Detective Charles Randal 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department
1
of 3 officers
33.3% Felonious
LA — Statewide
364
of 595 officers
61.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Randal Smith's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Charles Randal Smith Compares

Age at Death
32
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Randal Smith is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Randal Smith was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.