Charles B. Smith

Grant County Sheriff's Office — Silver City, NM

Felonious

End of Watch July 29, 1907

Age 27

The Vigil Panel 21 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Sheriff Smith was shot and killed by a crazed drunk man. Sheriff Smith responded to the suspect's home after he had fired at a civilian from his porch. As Sheriff Smith pushed open the door of the suspect's home the suspect opened fire killing Sheriff Smith. The 27-year-old suspect was later arrested after a standoff with other officers. On March 28, 1908, the suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 99 years. He was paroled on April 19, 1917.

Survivors

Sheriff Smith was survived by two sisters and one brother.

In Our Keeping

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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 Grant County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Silver City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smith.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Grant County Sheriff's Office

Location Silver City, NM

Platform Identity gcso.grant.nm.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 29, 1907

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to 99 years

Deputy Sheriff Charles B. 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 NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Grant County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Grant County Sheriff's Office

of 4 officers

100% Felonious

NM — Statewide

123

of 193 officers

63.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious