Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Steven Smith succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three days earlier as the SWAT team attempted to serve a felony arson warrant at an apartment at 14 West California Avenue.
Officer Smith was riding in the turret of an armored vehicle as it approached the apartment building when he was struck by one round. He was transported to a local hospital where he remained until succumbing to the wound.
The wanted subject was taken into custody following the shooting. He was sentenced to life without parole in 2017.
Officer Smith had served with the Columbus Division of Police for 27 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two adult children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-ECDCFABD- 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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Smith gave the Columbus Division of Police 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Steven Michael Smith is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Columbus Division of Police, 36 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Steven Michael Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Steven Michael Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Steven Michael Smith is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Steven Michael Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Columbus Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
