Roll of Honor
William Francis Smithson
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Smithson was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man following a dispute at a the American Borax Company Plant in Daggett. The man had struck the plant foreman over a pay dispute.
The foreman informed Deputy Smithson of the assault and the two, along with Deputy Smithson's assistant, went to look for the suspect. They located him on a street and as Deputy Smithson began to ask how he was doing, the man suddenly produced a revolver and shot him five times in the upper body.
Deputy Smithson was taken to the local billiard hall where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning.
The suspect was arrested during a search by a large posse. He was convicted of Deputy Smithson's murder and sentenced to death. The governor later commuted his sentence to life. He died in San Quentin State Prison in 1912.
Deputy Smithson had served with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office for approximately two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-13EE15C9- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Smithson gave the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Bernardino community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smithson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Francis Smithson 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept., 8 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Francis Smithson's cause is highlighted.
How William Francis Smithson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentence commuted to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Francis Smithson is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Francis Smithson was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
