Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Town Marshal Willie Smith was shot and killed while attempting to take a subject into custody for a competency hearing. He had gone to the man's home with two sheriff's deputies but was ambushed when the subject stepped from behind a tree and opened fire with a shotgun. The man later turned himself in.
The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 21 years.
Deputy Marshal Smith was survived by his wife and several children.
Survivors
Deputy Marshal Smith was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-43E65F6A- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Town Marshal Smith served with the Manchester Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Manchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Town Marshal Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Town Marshal Willie 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Manchester Police Department, 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. Willie Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Willie Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willie Smith is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willie Smith was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Manchester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
