Incident
Special Agent Eldon Smith was shot and killed during a shootout with a theft suspect in Hilgrad, Oregon. His body was found adjacent to the railroad tracks suffering from five gunshot wounds. He had also been stabbed and beaten. The suspect was arrested a week later in Seattle, Washington, but escaped before he could stand trial.
Survivors
Agent Smith was survived by his wife and three daughters.
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.
Special Agent Smith served with the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Omaha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 21 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Eldon is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 remembered there.
Eldon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eldon is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 2 officers at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1932, 4 officers in NE were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eldon was 35. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34.5 and 46.8; the middle age was 38.5.
Eldon was 35. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
Eldon was 35. 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.
Eldon was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 46.2% of these deaths at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.4%.
August holds 14.4% of these deaths in NE, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.9% of all 21 deaths at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 30.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.2% of all 151 deaths in NE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, Eldon among them.
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Henry Vincents
Aug 19, 1878
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William E. Ransom
Jan 29, 1894
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William C. Downing Jan 29, 1901
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Thomas Gentleman Jan 8, 1904
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Theodore Franklin Wiser Sep 10, 1904
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Edward Scott Mar 28, 1910
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William Floyd Aug 4, 1910
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Lloyd James Spaur
Aug 4, 1912
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George Shindle
Jul 3, 1916
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Ray Watson Daugherty
Nov 19, 1917
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George R. Stewart Jul 27, 1918
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Jess L. Sitton Mar 4, 1922
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William Ford Sherman
Aug 31, 1927
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Eldon L. Smith Aug 4, 1932
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Norman G. Fowler Aug 29, 1932
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Ralph Ransom Taylor
Oct 14, 1933
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Gerald A. Schuett
Dec 22, 1968
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Dean L. McLaughlin Apr 6, 1977
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Larry Eugene Boles
Jul 9, 1977
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Kevin Patrick Hogan Jan 18, 1991
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Aaron Garcia
May 7, 2008
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Union Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.







