Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Robert Smith died as the result of complications from injuries sustained when he was pushed by a subject on September 20th, 2009.
Chief Smith was called to a local tavern where reports of an intoxicated male was disorderly and bleeding. The male subject had visible injuries to his face and head when Chief Smith arrived to the scene. Chief Smith ultimately arrested the subject for disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
The subject was transported to the local hospital where he was treated and released to the custody of the Chief. As Chief Smith was escorting the handcuffed subject to his marked squad car, the subject was able to escape by pushing him to the ground where Chief Smith suffered injuries to his knee, leg, head and neck. The subject was captured a very short time later.
Chief Smith sustained injuries to his neck that required surgical repair. The corrective surgery caused him to be paralyzed. Chief Smith died nine months after being paralyzed due to medical complications of the paralysis, on August 13th, 2010.
The subject was charged the night of the incident with Interference with Official Acts, Public Intoxication, and theft (the handcuffs that secured him when he escaped), and escape from custody. The subject pled guilty to the interference, all other charges plead down.
Chief Smith had served with the Stuart Police Department for 16 years and had previously served with the United States Army for 23 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-6D4A1D33- 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 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.
Chief of Police Smith gave the Stuart Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stuart community. Thank you 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
Robert Lynn Smith served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Chief of Police Robert Lynn 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Stuart 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. Robert Lynn Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Lynn Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Lynn Smith is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Lynn Smith was killed by person.
Military Service
Robert Lynn Smith served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Lynn 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
2 officers from Stuart Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
