Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Smith was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two suspects for suspicious activity at the corner of Jackson Street and 14th Street. He observed the two men casing our a neighborhood that had several recent burglaries. As he ordered the men to walk to City Hall one of the men pulled out a revolver and opened fire, fatally wounding Patrolman Smith. Although mortally wounded he was able to return fire and kill one of the suspects. The other suspect fled and was captured in Los Angeles after committing a burglary. He was convicted of Officer Smith's murder and sentenced to life in Folsom State Prison. Patrolman Smith had been with the Oakland Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-5088D81D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Police Officer Smith gave the Oakland Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James Hume Smith Jr. 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 Oakland Police Department, 37 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Hume Smith Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James Hume Smith Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Hume Smith Jr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Hume Smith Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
53 officers from Oakland Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
