Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Smith was killed by one two men he was questioning in front of a saloon at 2nd and Poplar streets. The man had been accused of stealing a large amount of butter from a nearby market and and was trying to sell it to the other man. The man hit Officer Smith in the face with his fist causing him to fall, hitting his head on the curb. He suffered a skull fracture causing his death. As the suspect started to run the saloon bartender shot him in the back. On March 22, 1917, the suspect, 35, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 6 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-2BC64EE7- 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.
Police Officer Smith gave the Philadelphia Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 6 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Smith is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Smith was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
