Roll of Honor
Incident
Justice J. Rufus Smith was shot and killed by a Virginia state game warden while investigating a car that was blocking the roadway. As Justice Smith approached the vehicle the game warden, who was operating the car, and two other men exchanged words with him.
The game warden then opened fire, striking Justice Smith two times. Despite being mortally wounded, Justice Smith was able to return fire, but did not strike the men.
The shooting took place on the Tazewell County/Buchanan County border. The game warden was tried in Tazewell County and sentenced to 8 years in prison for murdering Justice Smith.
Justice Smith had served as the elected justice of the peace for the Maiden Springs District for seven months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 11 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-E47830A6- 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.
Justice of the Peace Smith served with the Tazewell County Circuit Court.
Thank you for your service to the Tazewell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Justice of the Peace Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Justice of the Peace J. Rufus 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. Rufus Smith's cause is highlighted.
How J. Rufus Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 8 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Rufus Smith is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Rufus Smith was killed by handgun.