Roll of Honor
Frank V. Smith
Incident
Location: Ohio Incident Date: Friday, May 26, 1916 Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Charged with murder
Railroad Detective Frank Smith succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier while attempting to arrest two men suspected of stealing freight in Toledo, Ohio.
A railroad switchman had notified the railroad police after he noticed about 30 crates of automobile tires that had been pushed from a train next to the tracks.
Detective Smith and another detective went to the area and concealed themselves nearby to wait for the suspects to return. A short time later two men approached but observed Detective Smith. One of the men opened fire, striking Detective Smith in the chest.
Despite being wounded, Detective Smith returned fire, killing one of the other suspects. He then walked a half mile to a nearby farmhouse where he sought assistance. The other suspect fled the scene but was eventually arrested and charged with murder, along with another accomplice.
Detective Smith was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Detective Smith was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-8C4B765F- 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 Detective Smith served with the Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Toledo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Frank V. 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Frank V. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Frank V. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank V. Smith is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank V. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
