Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Herbert Smith was shot and killed after making a traffic stop on State Road 9 near Shelbyville in Shelby County. When the driver couldn't produce identification, he asked the four teenage occupants of the vehicle to follow him to the police station. Suspecting the vehicle was stolen, Trooper Smith requested a license plate check while driving to the station. While en route, the suspects pretended to have car trouble and pulled to the side of the road. Trooper Smith also stopped, and as he approached the vehicle, the suspects opened fire, striking him three times. He was able to return fire and make it back to his patrol car, where he died of his injuries. The two male and two female suspects were apprehended. The two males, both 17, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The shooter was paroled on February 11, 1968. The two girls, 15 and 16, were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 2 to 21 years. Trooper Smith had served with the Indiana State Police for over four years and was assigned to the Connersville post.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-9FABF191- 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.
Trooper Smith gave the Indiana State Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Indiana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Herbert Wade 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Indiana State Police, 21 of 46 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Herbert Wade Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Herbert Wade Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1968
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herbert Wade Smith is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herbert Wade Smith was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
45 officers from Indiana State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
