Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Sergeant Harry Smeeman was shot and killed at midnight while on duty. The initial investigation produced no suspects and the town hired a private investigator to continue the investigation. Two indictments were handed down and one of the suspects was acquitted of the murder. The other suspect was never found. Town Sergeant Smeeman was the elected Town Sergeant and had served with the Ashland Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-8DE05EFC- 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.
Town Sergeant Smeeman gave the Ashland Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ashland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Sergeant Smeeman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Sergeant Harry Valentine Smeeman 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 VA, 395 of 654 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. Harry Valentine Smeeman's cause is highlighted.
How Harry Valentine Smeeman Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Valentine Smeeman is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Valentine Smeeman was killed by gun; unknown type.