James Hume Smith, Jr.

Oakland Police Department — Oakland, CA

Felonious

End of Watch November 27, 1903

Age 33

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 19 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 53

Incident

Police Officer James Smith was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two suspects for suspicious activity at the corner of Jackson Street and 14th Street. He observed the two men casing our a neighborhood that had several recent burglaries. As he ordered the men to walk to City Hall one of the men pulled out a revolver and opened fire, fatally wounding Patrolman Smith. Although mortally wounded he was able to return fire and kill one of the suspects. The other suspect fled and was captured in Los Angeles after committing a burglary. He was convicted of Officer Smith's murder and sentenced to life in Folsom State Prison. Patrolman Smith had been with the Oakland Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother and five siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-5088D81D
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 gave the Oakland Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Smith.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Oakland Police Department

Location Oakland, CA

Platform Identity opd.alameda.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 27, 1903

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender One shot and killed

Police Officer James Hume Smith, Jr. 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 Oakland Police Department, 37 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.5% of this agency's fallen.

Oakland Police Department

of 54 officers

68.5% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious