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Incident
Patrolman William Smith was shot and killed by the husband of a prostitute he had just arrested. Patrolman Smith and another patrolman raided a house of prostitution at 803 Main Street. As Patrolman Smith and his partner exited the house with the suspects, they were confronted by the suspect’s husband who shot both of them. Patrolman Smith died from his wounds. The entire police department was trying to make Joplin as presentable as possible for the arrival of the famous evangelist Billy Sunday. The suspect was apprehended in 1913. Patrolman Smith is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Joplin, Missouri.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Smith served with the Joplin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joplin Police Department has lost 21 officers; 17 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1909, 1 officer at Joplin Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1901, with 2.
In 1909, 2 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 42. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Joplin Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 46; the middle age was 42.
William was 42. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
William was 42. 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.
William was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 5.9% of these deaths at Joplin Police Department; December holds the most, 23.5%. Mondays: 11.8%.
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 14.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81% of all 21 deaths at Joplin Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 64.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Joplin Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Daniel Sheehan
Jul 19, 1885
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James Sweeney
Apr 23, 1901
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Bert Brannon
Apr 24, 1901
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Theodore C. Leslie
Apr 14, 1903
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John Ledbetter
Jun 10, 1903
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Claude Brice
Dec 31, 1904
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William Smith
Nov 15, 1909
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Louis S. Wells Jun 3, 1916
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William Wolsey
Dec 8, 1917
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Jessie Laster
Aug 23, 1926
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Alex Brown
Dec 18, 1928
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Alexander C. Lachman
Jun 26, 1931
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Harry L. McGinnis
Apr 13, 1933
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Kendrick Lloyd
Apr 17, 1948
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Raymond Endicott
Oct 8, 1949
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Robert M. Clifton
Dec 5, 1967
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Paul Wesley Harlan
Dec 6, 1979
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Richard W. O. Gammill
Sep 7, 1989
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Timothy Andrew Nielson
Sep 13, 2004
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Benjamin Lee Cooper
Mar 8, 2022
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Jake Alexander Reed
Mar 9, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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