Prev Next
Herbert Wade Smith
Agency patch
Trooper

Herbert Wade Smith

Indiana State Police — Indianapolis, IN
Felonious
United States flag Indiana flag
End of Watch December 5, 1946
Age 29
Tour of Duty 4 yrs 1 mo
The Vigil Panel 83 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 45

Incident

Trooper Herbert Smith was shot and killed after making a traffic stop on State Road 9 near Shelbyville in Shelby County. When the driver couldn't produce identification, he asked the four teenage occupants of the vehicle to follow him to the police station. Suspecting the vehicle was stolen, Trooper Smith requested a license plate check while driving to the station. While en route, the suspects pretended to have car trouble and pulled to the side of the road. Trooper Smith also stopped, and as he approached the vehicle, the suspects opened fire, striking him three times. He was able to return fire and make it back to his patrol car, where he died of his injuries. The two male and two female suspects were apprehended. The two males, both 17, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The shooter was paroled on February 11, 1968. The two girls, 15 and 16, were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 2 to 21 years. Trooper Smith had served with the Indiana State Police for over four years and was assigned to the Connersville post.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnbmhwtk9s08n149xay2
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Herbert. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Smith gave the Indiana State Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Indiana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Smith.

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

Agency

Department Indiana State Police
Type State Police
Location Indianapolis, IN
Platform Identity insp.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 5, 1946
Tour of Duty 4 yrs 1 mo
Age 29
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Herbert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Herbert was 29. 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. Herbert had served 4.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Indiana State Police has 46 officers remembered here, Herbert among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Trooper Herbert Wade Smith

Indiana State Police · End of Watch December 5, 1946

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E

↑