Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal George Smith was shot and killed at approximately 11:00 am as he and the Dolores County sheriff attempted to serve warrants on two subjects wanted for stealing saddles.
The men were staying a residence in Rico and were preparing to leave after learning that the officers were looking for them. Marshal Smith and the sheriff entered the home just as the two were preparing to leave. One of the men inside opened fire, killing Marshal Smith, before both fled.
Both men were arrested on the Navajo Reservation one week later and were returned to Rico. A group of angry citizens removed the men from the jail and lynched them both.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CO-F95DD69E- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Marshal Smith served with the Rico Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Rico community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal George L. 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George L. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How George L. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George L. Smith is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George L. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.