Incident
Special Agent Eldon Smith was shot and killed during a shootout with a theft suspect in Hilgrad, Oregon. His body was found adjacent to the railroad tracks suffering from five gunshot wounds. He had also been stabbed and beaten. The suspect was arrested a week later in Seattle, Washington, but escaped before he could stand trial.
Survivors
Agent Smith was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-1747C36B- 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.
Special Agent Smith served with the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Omaha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Eldon L. 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 NE, 97 of 151 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.2% of this state's fallen. That is 10 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, 13 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Eldon L. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Eldon L. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested and escaped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Eldon L. Smith is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Eldon L. Smith was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Union Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.







