Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edward Smith was shot and killed by a juvenile whom he had caught swimming in the John Marshall High School swimming pool after hours. The boy, 15, his brother, 13, and another boy, 15, he was swimming with were arrested. Investigating officers were perplexed when he confessed to the murder and described how he did it but showed no emotion or remorse. After the three were detained, he said he and the others were putting their clothes back on when a .22 caliber pistol, which he had stolen from a desk in the principal's office, fell from his pocket. He said he picked it up and shot Patrolman Smith because he thought he was going to shoot him. He was arrested and charged with murder. At his probable cause hearing seven days later, the judge suggested that the murder charge should be reduced to manslaughter. On July 28, 1931, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 18 years. His attorney immediately appealed. The Illinois Supreme Court awarded a new trial. On January 27, 1933, he was retried and acquitted. The jury stated that the more than two years he spent in jail was sufficient for his crime and that they were convinced when he committed the murder, he did not know right from wrong. They also said he had been hopelessly influenced by movies and books about gangsters. Patrolman Smith had served with the Chicago Police Department for over three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three-year-old daughter, mother, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-DA64AC65- 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.
Patrolman Smith gave the Chicago Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Edward F. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward F. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Edward F. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
trespasser
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward F. Smith is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward F. Smith was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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