Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Earl Smith was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant. The suspect's sister had the warrant taken out on the man. As Deputy Smith approached the back door the suspect fired through the screen, striking him. The suspect then shot him five more times. The suspect pled not guilty by reason of insanity and was acquitted.
Survivors
Deputy Smith had been with the agency for 35 years and was survived by his wife, 12 children, and several grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-A6DFBC48- 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
35 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Smith gave the Pike County Sheriff's Office 35 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville 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 Earl 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 Pike County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Earl Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted on insanity plea
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl Smith is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
