Roll of Honor
Incident
Posseman Ed Smith was shot and killed while assisting a sheriff's deputy in an attempt to arrest a man for carrying a pistol in Columbia.
Upon learning that the man was armed, the deputy formed a posse to arrest him, including county attorney Ed Smith. As they attempted to arrest the man one of his friends opened fire, striking the deputy in the wrist and Posseman Smith in the chest.
Posseman Smith succumbed to his wounds the following morning.
Both men fled but were apprehended and returned to the county jail. On the night of January 14th, 1903, an angry mob of citizens stormed the county jail and fatally shot both prisoners.
Posseman Smith was survived by his mother and several siblings.
Survivors
Posseman Smith was survived by his mother and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-BCC86898- 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.
Posseman Smith served with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Angleton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Posseman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Posseman Edward C. 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward C. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Edward C. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched by mob
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward C. Smith is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward C. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Brazoria County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
