Alexander S. Smith

Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department — St. Paul, MN

Felonious

End of Watch February 4, 1909

Age 55

The Vigil Panel 23 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Railroad Policeman Alexander Smith was shot and killed in the company's railroad yards near South 2nd Street in Tacoma, Washington shortly after 4 p.m. by his partner. The two officers had been arguing about a recent freight train robbery when Policeman Smith's partner attacked him and opened fire, fatally wounding him. The officer who shot him was charged with second-degree murder.

Survivors

Policeman Smith was survived by his son and four sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-RR-11C72BFA
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.
Railroad Policeman Smith served with the Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Policeman Smith.

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

Agency

Department Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department

Location St. Paul, MN

Platform Identity nprpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 4, 1909

Age 55

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Charged with murder

Railroad Policeman Alexander S. 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 MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 4.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department

of 6 officers

100% Felonious

MN — Statewide

173

of 293 officers

59% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious