H. L. Smith
Agency patch
Constable

H. L. Smith

Felonious
End of Watch February 1, 1887
The Vigil Panel 9 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Constable H.L. Smith and Deputy Constable John Bratton were shot and killed by the brother of a man they had just arrested. They were taking the man to jail but allowed him to stop by his home to retrieve some property.

While inside the home the man attempted to grab a gun but was shot by Constable Smith. The suspect's brother, who was in the home, then opened fire on the officers, killing both.

Both brothers were arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder.

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 125th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05 February 1st, 2012

In Our Keeping

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BO-US-AR-3A152E9A
Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

139 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Smith served with the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sheridan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Sheridan, Grant County, AR
Platform Identity gcso.grant.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 1, 1887
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Constable H. L. 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 AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 66.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Grant County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Grant County Sheriff's Office
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
AR — Statewide
249
of 372 officers
66.9% 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. H. L. Smith's cause is highlighted.

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

How H. L. Smith Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. H. L. Smith is highlighted in Feb.

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. H. L. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.

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

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Grant County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.