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Incident
Game Warden Paul Smith drowned while conducting an abalone survey in the Pacific Ocean off of the Mendocino coast. He was conducting the survey at the bluff at Heeser Drive with other members of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and members of the biology department at Humboldt State College. He became separated from the rest of the party as the conditions worsened, and they headed back to shore. His body was recovered three days later. His was the third drowning in the same area. Game Warden Smith had served with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
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
You barely got started.
Game Warden Smith gave the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 1 year.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
California Department of Fish and Wildlife has lost 17 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
Paul is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Paul is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 1 officer at California Department of Fish and Wildlife was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1984, with 2.
In 1970, 7 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1970, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1970, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 27. Of the 8 lost to accidents at California Department of Fish and Wildlife whose age is recorded, half were between 38.3 and 60.3; the middle age was 48.5. Paul had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 14.5 years.
Paul was 27. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Paul had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Paul was 27. 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. Paul had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 27. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths at California Department of Fish and Wildlife; October holds the most, 37.5%. Saturdays: 25%.
December holds 7.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 13.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 47.1% of all 17 deaths at California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
California Department of Fish and Wildlife has 17 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
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Bert Blanchard
Feb 2, 1913
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Ernest Raynaud
Apr 16, 1913
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George Jackson Rodolph Nov 29, 1914
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Raymond B. Heacock Dec 11, 1916
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Richard Squire
Dec 12, 1916
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James S. White Oct 17, 1923
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George Thompson Sep 1, 1928
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Alan G. Curry Apr 30, 1930
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Walter K. Krukow
Apr 20, 1947
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Arthur L. Stager Oct 28, 1948
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Clarence Lester Brown
Apr 3, 1959
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Wilbur S. Talbott
Jan 14, 1962
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Paul Steven Smith
Dec 19, 1970
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Jean King Jones, Jr.
May 14, 1979
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Leon Harvey Nelson Oct 27, 1979
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Robert Allen Flynt May 11, 1984
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Roy John Reed
Jun 7, 1984
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from California Department of Fish and Wildlife are honored on badge.nw.
