Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Lieutenant Benjamin Smith and Detective Clarence Stadler, both in plainclothes, were shot and killed during a shootout with two suspects who were attempting to rob a $15,000 payroll at 7777 West Chicago Street at 11 a.m. Detective Stadler was struck twice in the face and once in the abdomen. He was transported to Highland Park Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Detective Lieutenant Smith was struck in the jaw and abdomen and died the following day. One of the suspects was shot and killed and another was wounded. Detective Lieutenant Smith had served with the Detroit Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife nad 15-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-08074AF6- 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 Lieutenant Smith gave the Detroit Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lieutenant Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Lieutenant Benjamin 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin F. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin F. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin F. Smith is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin F. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
