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Patrolman

Clarence T. Smith

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH

Accident

End of Watch June 6, 1939

Age 36

Tour of Duty 9 yrs

The Vigil Panel 164 · Column 3 · Line 16 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 118

Incident

Patrolman Clarence Smith died from burns received during a liquor raid at 6205 Quincy Avenue. As they arrived, they saw a woman throw two containers out a window. Patrolman Smith retrieved the containers and found one contained whiskey and the other alcohol. Placing them on a shelf, he then proceeded to guard the two suspects, a husband and wife. Fearing the suspects might try to destroy the evidence, he decided to hold the containers. Just as he was lifting the jug containing the alcohol, the male suspect grabbed a wooden coat hanger and smashed the jug, spilling the contents over a lit stove. Flames burst out, igniting Patrolman Smith. His partner quickly wrapped him in a mattress to extinguish the flames, but in doing so, he received burns to his hands and face. During this time, the two suspects escaped. A third person, sleeping in another room, was arrested. Patrolman Smith was rushed to St. Vincent Charity Hospital in critical condition. Numerous officers gave blood, as did his wife. Four days after the incident, he succumbed to his injuries while his wife was en route to the hospital to give more blood. The man who hit the jug was later convicted. Patrolman Smith was survived by his wife, two sons, a brother, a sister, and parents. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

Survivors

Patrolman Smith was survived by his wife, two sons, a brother, a sister, and parents.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Smith gave the Cleveland Division of Police 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Smith.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Cleveland Division of Police

Type Other

Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH

Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 6, 1939

Tour of Duty 9 yrs

Age 36

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Weapon Person

The Sacrifice · Accident

Clarence is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1939, 61 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 72nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Clarence was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Clarence had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.2% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded