Incident
Patrolman Lindsey Smith, Policeman E.C. Armstrong, and Policeman Charles Holt, both of the Tullahoma Police Department, were shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute. Policeman Armstrong was the first officer to arrive at the scene and was shot by the drunk suspect. The suspect opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, striking Policeman Armstrong's badge and a second shot striking his spinal cord. Although wounded, he was able to return fire and struck the suspect in the arm. The suspect fled to a nearby church and hid in the crawl space beneath the building. Policeman Holt and Patrolman Smith responded to the church and located the suspect. Policeman Holt and the suspect exchanged shots and Policeman Holt was fatally wounded. As the suspect came around the corner of the building he shot Patrolman Smith twice, seriously wounding him. A second highway patrolman returned fire and killed the suspect. Policeman Armstrong and Patrolman Smith were transported to Protestant Hospital where they both succumbed to their wounds several days later. Patrolman Smith was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-F42608A4- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Lindsey is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Smith served with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of Tennessee, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Lindsey Blake Smith served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Lindsey Blake 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Tennessee Highway Patrol, 6 of 41 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 14.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lindsey Blake Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Lindsey Blake Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lindsey Blake Smith is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lindsey Blake Smith was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Lindsey Blake Smith served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Lindsey Blake Smith’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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