Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Smith was shot and killed and his partner was shot in the leg by and unknown suspect after stopping him on the street. A week later his partner was charged with his murder.
The officer who claimed he was innocent, was tried three times and acquitted each time. Officer Smith's murder remains a mystery.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-63CCFA6D- 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.
Police Officer Smith served with the Birmingham Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham 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 Willis A. 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Birmingham Police Dept., 34 of 49 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willis A. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Willis A. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willis A. Smith is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willis A. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
48 officers from Birmingham Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
