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Incident
Constable Hiram Smith was shot and killed as he and the Jackson police chief questioned a man suspected of stealing an automobile.
The suspect was located at a local restaurant on College Avenue but claimed he was not the man they were looking for. The suspect insisted he had papers in his room on the second floor of the building that would identify him. The officers were both shot after accompanying the man to his room to locate the papers. The police chief recovered from his wounds.
The suspect was convicted of Constable Smith's murder and was sentenced to death. He was executed in the electric chair on February 26, 1943.
Constable Smith was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Constable Smith was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Constable Smith served with the Breathitt County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Breathitt County Constable's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Hiram is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Hiram is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hiram is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 1 officer at Breathitt County Constable's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 2.
In 1942, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hiram was 33. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Breathitt County Constable's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 43; the middle age was 39.
Hiram was 33. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Hiram was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Hiram was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 40% of these deaths at Breathitt County Constable's Office, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 40%.
January holds 6.2% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Wednesdays: 11.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Breathitt County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Breathitt County Constable's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Hiram among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Breathitt County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
