Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Damon Smith was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call with the department's chief. A nine-year-old girl had reported that her father was threatening her mother with a knife. When the two officers arrived they were ambushed from the front window by the front door. Officer Smith was shot once in the chest with a .30-.30 rifle, with the bullet penetrating his vest. The chief was also shot by the suspect but was able to return fire and wounded the man. In October 2004 the suspect lost his last bid to remain in a state mental hospital. As a result, he pled guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was sentenced to additional time for the wounding of the police chief in the same incident. Officer Smith was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Oakboro Police Department for 1 year. He was survived by his wife, 3-year-old son, parents and sister. Officer Smith's badge number was retired from service at the end of his funeral service.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 3-year-old son, parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-47653D42- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Damon is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Smith gave the Oakboro Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakboro community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Damon Franklin Smith served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Damon Franklin 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Damon Franklin Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Damon Franklin Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Damon Franklin Smith is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Damon Franklin Smith was killed by rifle.
Military Service
Damon Franklin Smith served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Damon Franklin Smith’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Oakboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.