Roll of Honor
Rosie Lee Smith
Incident
Constable Ronnie Smith was stabbed to death after being attacked without warning while walking in Kosse.
When a bystander attempted to stop the assault, the suspect's brother threatened the citizen with a hammer. Constable Smith sustained severe stab wounds in the attack. He died three weeks later, on April 30th, 1933.
Both brothers were charged with assault with intent to murder, and later murder charges were filed and then dismissed. They were each fined $25 and one of the men was sentenced to three months in jail. The conviction was later reversed by the Court of Appeals.
Constable Smith was survived by his wife and was buried in the Eutaw Cemetery. The Precinct 5 constable's office no longer exists.
Survivors
Constable Smith was survived by his wife and was buried in the Eutaw Cemetery.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-811C11F9- Stewardship
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- 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.
Constable Smith served with the Limestone County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Groesbeck community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Rosie Lee 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rosie Lee Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Rosie Lee Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Fined $25
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rosie Lee Smith is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rosie Lee Smith was killed by edged weapon; knife.