Roll of Honor
Incident
Superintendent Reddin Smith succumbed to gunshot wounds he received the day prior while searching for nine escaped convicts near Ayden.
Superintendent Smith was leading a posse and, with the aid of bloodhounds, tracked the suspect who had shot and killed Superindentent Joseph McLawhorn. The posse divided into groups of two as they entered the swamp area. The suspect jumped out from behind a tree and shot Superintendent Smith in the abdomen with Superintendent McLawhorn's service pistol. He was transported to Ayden and then to the Kinston Hospital by train. Superindentent Smith died from his wounds the next day.
The suspect was shot and killed when he fired at posse members attempting to apprehend him.
Superintendent Smith was promoted to Superintendent when Superintendent Joseph McLawhorn was shot 13 days earlier. He was survived by his expectant wife and three young children. His daughter was born almost four months after his death. His son also served in law enforcement.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and three young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-E2947612- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Superintendent Smith served with the Pitt County Convict Camp.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Superintendent Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Superintendent Reddin Allen 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Pitt County Convict Camp, 2 of 2 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. Reddin Allen Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Reddin Allen Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Reddin Allen Smith is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Reddin Allen Smith was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pitt County Convict Camp are honored on badge.nw.
