Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Smith was shot and killed by the husband of a prostitute he had just arrested. Patrolman Smith and another patrolman raided a house of prostitution at 803 Main Street. As Patrolman Smith and his partner exited the house with the suspects, they were confronted by the suspect’s husband who shot both of them. Patrolman Smith died from his wounds. The entire police department was trying to make Joplin as presentable as possible for the arrival of the famous evangelist Billy Sunday. The suspect was apprehended in 1913. Patrolman Smith is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Joplin, Missouri.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-0A2D915F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Patrolman Smith served with the Joplin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin 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 William 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Joplin Police Department, 17 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Smith's cause is highlighted.
How William Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Smith is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Joplin Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
