Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy J.S. Smith was shot and killed as he and a posse attempted to arrest a murder suspect. When the suspect was confronted by Deputy Smith he shot him in the chest with a revolver, killing him.
The suspect was able to flee the scene and avoided capture by the posse.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-197FF9C9- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Smith served with the Russell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lebanon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff J. S. 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 VA, 395 of 654 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 Russell County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. S. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How J. S. Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. S. Smith is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. S. Smith was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Russell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
