Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Rolland Smith was shot and killed when he interrupted six suspects burglarizing a bank in the middle of the night. Marshal Smith was shot in the head during an exchange of gunfire with the suspects. Three suspects were apprehended by Missouri authorities as they crossed the Missouri River bridge leading to Leavenworth. Two weeks later a wooden leg led to the capture of a suspect near Chicago by Pinkerton and Northwestern Detectives. A peg at the bottom of the leg produced a unique track in the snow. On January 11, 1903, a fifth suspect was apprehended in Fort Worth, Texas. Four of the five were convicted of attempted bank robbery and sentenced to 8 years each in Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. It is unknown if the suspect with the wooden leg was ever captured of if any of the six were held responsible for Marshal Smith's murder.
Survivors
Marshal Smith was survived by his wife and young child.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IA-2B89249E- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Smith served with the Chelsea Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chelsea community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Rolland P. Smith is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rolland P. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Rolland P. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Captured
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rolland P. Smith is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rolland P. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.