Prev
Incident
Detective Kenneth Smith was shot and killed while conducting a narcotics raid on a home with other agents who were all in plain clothes in the 400 block of Pine Street in Marrero. At 9:00 p.m., a neighbor observed the raid and called 911 to report a burglary in progress, followed the agents into the home, and shot Detective Smith in the back. The suspect was arrested at the scene and acquitted at trial on an argument of self-defense. Detective Smith served with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnbn3eany2hdt15tq6eb- 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 Kenneth. 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.
Detective Smith gave the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harvey community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Kenneth is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kenneth 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 1976, 1 officer at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1976, 2 officers in LA were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kenneth was 25. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 41.8; the middle age was 35.5. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Kenneth was 25. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Kenneth was 25. 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. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.3% of these deaths at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 25%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
August holds 9.6% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 15 deaths at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, Kenneth among them.
-
Arthur George Miller
Nov 10, 1920
-
Louis Cannaliato
May 5, 1965
-
Kenneth Fleming Smith
Aug 31, 1976
-
Merlin Eugene Brune, Jr.
Jul 12, 1977
-
Robert Edward Cochran
Jan 30, 1978
-
Joanne Couzynse
Nov 9, 1983
-
Kathleen Angie Briscoe
Sep 7, 1988
-
Curtis William Denton, Jr.
Jan 25, 1989
-
Stephen Charles Newitt, III
Jan 24, 1996
-
James Lee Clarius
Oct 5, 1996
-
Joshua Everett Norris
Jul 5, 2007
-
David Francis Michel, Jr.
Jun 22, 2016
-
Alvis Joseph West, III
Apr 3, 2020
-
Stephen Christopher Arnold
May 23, 2021
-
Christopher Ohlmeyer
Jan 30, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
