Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff A.L. Smithers and Deputy Sheriff Thomas Hall were shot and killed as they attempted to arrest an escapee from the county jail.
The suspect was apprehended and hanged on April 25, 1913.
I served 45 years in law enforcement including two four year terms as Sheriff of Luna County (2007-2011 & 2011-2014) retiring at the end of 2014. I prayed each day I would not have to face an EOW during my administration. I was blessed not having to endure it. My thoughts are always with my successors and all Emergency Responders whose service I appreciate. My Lord, Bless each and every law enforcement officer on whom we depend to keep us safe. Keep them safe.
Raymond Cobos, Sheriff, Retired Luna County Sheriff's Department November 8th, 2016
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-D6873897- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew A.. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Sheriff Smithers served with the Luna County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Deming community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Smithers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff A. L. Smithers 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 Luna County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. A. L. Smithers's cause is highlighted.
How A. L. Smithers Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1913
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. A. L. Smithers is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. A. L. Smithers was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Luna County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
