Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Israel Smith was shot and killed while he and several deputies attempted to apprehend bootleggers near Cleveland, Tennessee.
When the deputies approached the still the suspects fled to a home. As the deputies pursued them shots were fired and Sheriff Smith was struck in the abdomen. The subject was arrested but escaped from the Hamilton County Jail on August 14th, 1922.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-B478E57C- 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.
Sheriff Smith gave the Bradley County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Israel 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bradley County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Israel L. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Israel L. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Escaped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Israel L. Smith is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Israel L. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Bradley County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
