Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Smith was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call on Park Street. When he arrived at the scene he confronted a male subject who was armed with a 12-gauge. As he attempted to talk the man into putting the gun down he was shot in the chest and killed instantly. The county sheriff responded to the scene and arrested the suspect. On April 11, 1944, the suspect, 42, who claimed self defense, was tried and acquitted.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-C2E7D7BE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Smith served with the Falmouth Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Falmouth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James W. Smith is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Falmouth Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James W. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How James W. Smith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James W. Smith is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James W. Smith was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Falmouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
