Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Smith was shot and killed in a shootout with a suspect on Christmas Eve.
After murdering Deputy Smith, the suspect fled into the nearby mountains. A posse that was assembled to pursue him reached the town of Glomawr and were searching for him when someone in a store threw a fire cracker at them.
Thinking they were being fired upon by the suspect, the posse opened fire towards the store, killing several occupants.
Deputy Smith was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Smith was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-4DE8E6EE- 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 Perry County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hazard 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 William 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 Perry County Sheriff's Office, 19 of 19 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. William Smith's cause is highlighted.
How William Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Smith is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Perry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
