Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Robert Smith and Deputy Jake Owen were shot and killed after arresting two men for stealing seed cotton. The officers allowed the men to go home and change before transporting them to jail. When the suspects exited their home they began shooting at the officers. Sheriff Smith was shot while still in his vehicle, the bullet striking in the back and going through his heart. Deputy Owen jumped from the vehicle but was gunned down by the suspects. The shooting suspect in the killing of Sheriff Smith and Deputy Owen was sentenced to death, but was sent to a state mental hospital. He was declared sane, returned to prison and executed in the electric chair at the Texas State Prison in Huntsville in 1929. A second suspect was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison but was paroled after serving 14 years. Sheriff Smith had served with the agency for eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-EF71F3A8- 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 served with the Fisher County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roby 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 Robert J. 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 Fisher County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert J. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Robert J. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert J. Smith is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert J. Smith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fisher County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
