Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Nicholas Smith was shot and killed after he and his partner went to investigate the sound of shots being fired. Patrolman Smith and his partner were on foot patrol when they heard gunshots. When they went to the location from which they heard the shots, they found a 14-year-old boy who had been shot in the leg. He told the officers that the man who shot him was hiding in the backyard of the residence they were in front of. When Patrolman Smith and his partner approached the backyard, the suspect opened fire, striking Patrolman Smith in the abdomen. Patrolman Smith was taken to a local hospital but died shortly after from his wound. The suspect who shot Patrolman Smith was never apprehended. Patrolman Smith had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 13 years.
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BO-US-NY-DB342AC2- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Smith gave the Buffalo Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Nicholas Bernard 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Buffalo Police Department, 22 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nicholas Bernard Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Nicholas Bernard Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nicholas Bernard Smith is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nicholas Bernard Smith was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
50 officers from Buffalo Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
