Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Smith was shot and killed while attempting to break up a disturbance. A group of men had been arguing and shouting in front of a local church just before midnight. As Chief Smith attempted to quell the group one of the men opened fire, fatally shooting him in the chest. The chief was taken to a nearby furniture store where two doctors provided aide. He succumbed to his wound shortly after midnight. The suspect who shot Chief Smith fled the scene. Chief Smith had served with the agency for 1 month.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-BBF6E772- 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.
Chief of Police Smith served with the LaFollette Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the LaFollette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Samuel Henderson 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 LaFollette Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Henderson Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Henderson Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Henderson Smith is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Henderson Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from LaFollette Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
