Roll of Honor
Incident
Watchman Elijah Smith was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery at a local hardware store.
The suspect, who was an escaped convict from a Texas prison, was apprehended by officers in Blytheville, Arkansas, a week later while trying to rob a beer truck. He was convicted of Watchman Smith's murder and sentenced to life.
On October 8, 1941, he and three inmates attempted to escape from the Oklahoma Penitentiary. His three inmate companions, Warden Jess Dunn, and Deputy Sheriff William A. Ford of the Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office were shot and killed. He was convicted of Warden Dunn's murder and executed in the electric chair July 14, 1943.
This is probably less of a reflection, but more a notation. In the research I have compiled on the life of Mr. Bybee it was reported there were two men surprised by Mr. Smith mid robbery at the Milford Hardware Store June 27, 1937; 1) William Hilton Bybee (My Great-Great Uncle) and 2) Hiriam Prather. Hilton Bybee's fingerprints were found on the flashlight of Mr. Smith.
Elijah Columbas "Bill" Smith, Night Officer Byars Police Department
About 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 27,1937, the body of Elijah Columbas “Bill” Smith, night officer at Byars, was discovered in the rear of the Milford Hardware store. Smith had apparently surprised two robbers who had entered the store and stolen several guns. Smith was shot twice from behind and beaten to death. An investigation determined that the murder occurred at approximately 2:30 A.M. Two suspects were identified, W.H. Bybee, an escapee from Texas, and Hiram Prather. Bybee’s fingerprints were found on Smith’s flashlight. Bybee was killed in a gunfight with Arkansas State Police near Monticello on July 20th. Hiram Prather, while attempting an escape from the McAlester State Penitentary in August of 1941, caused the death of Warden Jess Dunn. He was executed in July of 1943 for Dunn’s death. Elijah Columbas Smith, a single man, had been the night police officer for about one month. He was a carpenter by trade.
Patricia Allen, Registered Nurse Great Great Niece of W. H Bybee. July 7th, 2020
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- April 2, 2026
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- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Watchman Smith served with the Byars Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Byars community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman Elijah Columbus 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elijah Columbus Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Elijah Columbus Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elijah Columbus Smith is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elijah Columbus Smith was killed by shotgun.