Roll of Honor
Incident
Posseman Fletcher Smith was shot and killed as he and other possemen attempted to arrest a gang of horse thieves near Greenwood.
When the posse told the thieves they were under arrest the thieves drew their pistols and opened fire. Most of the posse retreated but Posseman Smith stood his ground. One of the thieves obtained a Winchester rifle and continued firing, striking Posseman Smith in the stomach.
Two brothers were arrested by the Tarrant County sheriff and charged with Posseman Smith's murder.
Posseman Smith, who was a local doctor, had been deputized to ride with the posse.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-D0251D81- 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
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Posseman Smith served with the Wise County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Posseman Fletcher W. 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%.
At Wise County Sheriff's Office, 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. Fletcher W. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Fletcher W. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fletcher W. Smith is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fletcher W. Smith was killed by rifle; winchester.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Wise County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
