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Incident
Officer Mary Smith was shot and killed while checking on a suspicious vehicle on the 5300 block of Avenue H at 10:30 am.
Officer Smith had detained one subject and had placed him against the hood of her patrol car when another subject approached and opened fire on her. One round struck her in the chest, just above her vest, fatally wounding her. A second officer who arrived on the scene moments later was shot in the leg.
Two subjects were taken into custody immediately after the shooting. The shooting suspect was apprehended the following day and charged with capital murder. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death, but the Court of Criminal Appeals re-sentenced him to life without parole.
Officer Smith had served with the Fairfield Police Department for two months and had previously served with the Birmingham Police Department for 21 years.
Survivors
She is survived by her daughter, mother, two sisters, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Smith gave the Fairfield Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fairfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fairfield Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Mary is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Mary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mary 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 2006, 2 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 2006, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2006, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mary was 48. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Mary had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Mary was 48. 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. Mary had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mary was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mary had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Mondays: 13.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Fairfield Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.3% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Her people
Fairfield Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Mary among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Fairfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
