Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Gordon Smith was shot and killed while chasing a sexual assault and murder suspect. The suspect jumped a fence and waited on the other side. As the officers used a barrel to climb over the fence the suspect shot Lieutenant Smith in the chest with a .357 caliber revolver he had taken from a deputy sheriff. Although mortally wounded, Lieutenant Smith was able to return fire with his Thompson 45 submachine gun and killed the suspect. Lieutenant Smith was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII and had been wounded twice in action while serving in the Pacific. He had served with the Midland Police Department for 15 years and had previously served with the Sherman Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and father.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A86F30CF- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Lieutenant Smith gave the Midland Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Midland community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gordon Smith, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Lieutenant Gordon Smith, Jr. 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%.
At Midland 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. Gordon Smith, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Gordon Smith, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gordon Smith, Jr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gordon Smith, Jr. was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Midland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
