Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Charlie Smith was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle he suspected of bringing a load of illegal alcohol into Central City.
He had received information that the vehicle would be making the delivery and he stopped it on the outskirts of town. One of the three occupants of the vehicle opened fire on him, striking him twice and also killing one of the other occupants. Chief Smith died from his wounds the following day.
The other two were charged with Chief Smith's murder. The occupant, who was killed, shot and killed Patrolman John F. Allen of the Hopkins Police Department on August 8, 1925. One of the other two suspects was his 18-year-old son. It was the other suspect who accidentally killed him. It was unclear who killed Chief Smith. But evidence narrowed it down to the father or the son. Newspaper stories were also very confusing since they both had the same name. The surviving two were sent to prison in 1932 and paroled after three years.
Chief Smith was survived by his wife, adopted son, and two brothers.
Survivors
Chief Smith was survived by his wife, adopted son, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-8261E7A9- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Smith served with the Central City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Central City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Charlie 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 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. James Charlie Smith's cause is highlighted.
How James Charlie Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Charlie Smith is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Charlie Smith was killed by handgun.