Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Smith and Sheriff James Griner were shot and killed after they stopped a vehicle to search for whiskey. The suspect opened fire on both men, killing Jailer Smith and mortally wounding Sheriff Griner. The sheriff was transported to an Atlanta hospital where he succumbed to his wounds four days later.
After hiding in a south Georgia swamp for three weeks, the suspect surrendered to a Georgia state trooper. On April 23, 1952, he was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison April 3, 1959.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-4AA70965- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Jailer Smith served with the Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Fitzgerald community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer John Harbard 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 97,784 officers honored here.
In GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Ben Hill County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Harbard Smith's cause is highlighted.
How John Harbard Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Harbard Smith is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Harbard Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Ben Hill County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
