Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Smith was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest in the Mills area along Stinking Creek.
Deputy Smith was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Smith was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-27077F0B- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Smith served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Barbourville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James F. 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Knox County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James F. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How James F. Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James F. Smith is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James F. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Knox County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
