Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Henry Smith was shot and killed in a county courthouse by a man who had just been committed to a state asylum. The man had been arrested the previous day but had never been searched. After the judge signed the commitment papers the subject tried to leave the judge's chambers. When the sheriff tried to stop him the man suddenly turned around and shot the sheriff and then fired at the judge. The suspect was eventually apprehended. He was convicted of first-degree murder and hanged at San Quentin Prison on June 14th, 1907.
Survivors
Sheriff Smith was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Smith served with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ukiah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff J. Henry 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. Henry Smith's cause is highlighted.
How J. Henry Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Henry Smith is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Henry Smith was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Mendocino County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
