Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Thomas Smith was shot and killed, and his body mutilated while he and a deputy attempted to serve a warrant. During the incident, a shootout ensued, and Marshal Smith was wounded. The deputy then fled the area. The suspect, who remained at the scene, then decapitated Marshal Smith with an axe. Two suspects were arrested in connection with Marshal Smith's murder; one suspect was sentenced to 12 years in the state penitentiary, the other suspect was sentenced to 16 years in state penitentiary. Marshal Smith had been with the Abilene Police Department for one year and also held a commission as a United States Marshal; he had previously served with the New York City Police, Kit Carson Police in Colorado, as City Marshall of Bear River, Wyoming, and as a law agent for the Union Pacific Kansas Railroad line. He is buried in Abilene Cemetery, Abilene, Kansas.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-98AEE03F- 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
156 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Smith gave the Abilene Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Abilene community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Thomas J. 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Abilene Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Smith is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Abilene Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
