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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Herman Smith was shot and killed after making a traffic stop on US 441, between Douglas and Broxton, at 10:30 pm. He had placed the driver of the vehicle and his wife in the back of his patrol car and called for a tow truck. When the tow truck arrived the driver found Deputy Smith slumped over the wheel of his patrol car with four gunshot wounds in his back. The subject had shot him through the cage in the patrol car with a .25 caliber handgun and then broke through the back window with his wife to escape. The man and his wife were tracked by bloodhounds to their home nearby and apprehended. An investigation revealed Deputy Smith was writing a traffic citation to the man for a minor violation when he was shot. The suspect's wife had a gun in her pocketbook that she gave to her husband. The man admitted that he shot Deputy Smith, but both refused to say why Deputy Smith placed them in the back of his car. The man, 59, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on February 11, 1971. Deputy Smith is survived by his wife and four children. He was a police officer with the Broxton Police Department for 16 years and was chief when he left and went with the Coffee County Sheriff's Office in 1963.
Survivors
Deputy Smith is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Smith served with the Coffee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Douglas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Coffee County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Herman is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Herman is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Herman is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1963, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1963, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Herman was 52. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Herman had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herman was 52. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Herman had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herman was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Herman had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 7.8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Thursdays: 12%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Coffee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Coffee County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Herman among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Coffee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
