Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Arthur Smith was shot and killed while he and his partner patrolled an area off Easton Road, near the modern-day Newman Golf Course.
The officers stopped to investigate two cars parked on the side of the road. Constable Smith's partner stayed in the squad car as Constable Smith got out to investigate. As Constable Smith approached the vehicle he called out to the two occupants. One suddenly fired four shots, fatally wounding Constable Smith.
The shooter's accomplice surrendered to authorities the next day. He was exonerated by a coroner's jury and released. The shooter surrendered four weeks later. At the same time, two hunters came across the badly decomposed body of the accomplice near Havana. He had managed to leave a note before he died implicating the shooter in his death and the murder of the Night Marshal Martin Friedrich, of the Manito Police Department, on July 8th, 1922. The shooter was convicted of Constable Smith's murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1924, after exhausting all his appeals, he hanged himself in prison.
Constable Smith had served with the Peoria Park District Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-AE137581- 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.
Constable Smith gave the Peoria Park District Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Arthur Thomas 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Peoria Park District Police Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur Thomas Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur Thomas Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur Thomas Smith is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur Thomas Smith was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Peoria Park District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
