Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Randy Smith was shot and killed while he and other officers attempted to serve a search warrant and arrest warrant on a man wanted for escaping from the parish jail.
The officers had received information that the suspect was in a trailer owned by the family at 213 Point Street in Mamou. When the officers arrived, the family refused to let the officers in so the officers waited at the scene while a warrant was sworn out.
Once the warrant was received Detective Smith and a second deputy attempted to enter the house, but the suspect opened fire and shot Detective Smith in the chest. Detective Smith was able to make it to a yard next door before collapsing. Other officers were unable to make it to his location because the suspect was pinning them down with gunfire. The suspect eventually came out of the home holding his gun and was shot and killed. By the time rescue personnel were able to make it to Detective Smith's location, he had died.
Detective Smith had been served with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 10-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-2FD53E6D- 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.
Detective Smith gave the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ville Platte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Charles Randal 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Dept., 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Randal Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Randal Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Randal Smith is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Randal Smith was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
