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Incident
Patrolman Edgar Smith was killed in a motorcycle crash on U.S. 101, two miles north of Salinas, at about 6:30 pm.
When he arrived at the station he discovered that the radio on his motorcycle wasn't working. He drove to a mechanic's home in Monterey County to ask him to open his shop. As the two returned to the shop in Salinas another car turned left in front of him across from the Rose Room, causing a collision.
Patrolman Smith had served with the Salinas Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, four brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Smith gave the Salinas Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salinas 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 · Accident
Salinas Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Edgar is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Edgar is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edgar is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1945, 11 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1945, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1945, 68 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Edgar was 30. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Edgar had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Edgar was 30. 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. Edgar had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edgar was 30. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Edgar had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.2% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Salinas Police Department, the 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Salinas Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Edgar among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Salinas Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
