Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective John Smith and Detective Charles Wilson were shot and killed while responding to a local hotel to investigate a recent theft.
Detective Wilson and Detective Smith responded to a hotel in the main square of Bastrop to do a follow-up investigation on a open theft case. Unknown to them, two murder suspects from Texas were hiding in the hotel. When the Detectives arrived, a gun battle ensued in which Detective Wilson, Detective Smith and one suspect were killed. Two paramedics who rushed to the scene to aid the detectives were wounded.
A female suspect who was also wanted in connection with a murder in Harris County, Texas, escaped, but was taken into custody by the US Marshal's office in Houston, Texas on August 12th. Three other people were arrested for helping the female suspect escape.
On January 6, 2009, the female suspect, now 26, was convicted of federal weapons charges and sentenced to 28 years in a federal prison. A few weeks later, for her participation in the murders of Detective Smith and Detective Wilson she was convicted of two counts of second degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
Detective Smith had served on the Bastrop Police Department for 18 years and was assigned to the detective division.
Detective Wilson and Detective Smith responded to a hotel in the main square of Bastrop to do a follow-up investigation on a open theft case. Unknown to them, two murder suspects from Texas were hiding in the hotel. When the Detectives arrived, a gun battle ensued in which Detective Wilson, Detective Smith and one suspect were killed. Two paramedics who rushed to the scene to aid the detectives were wounded.
A female suspect who was also wanted in connection with a murder in Harris County, Texas, escaped, but was taken into custody by the US Marshal's office in Houston, Texas on August 12th. Three other people were arrested for helping the female suspect escape.
Detective Smith had served on the Bastrop Police Department for 18 years and was assigned to the detective division.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-27A29272- 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.
Detective Smith gave the Bastrop Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bastrop community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective John Russell 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Bastrop Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Russell Smith's cause is highlighted.
How John Russell Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Russell Smith is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Russell Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Bastrop Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
