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Incident
Deputy Earl Smith was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant. The suspect's sister had the warrant taken out on the man. As Deputy Smith approached the back door the suspect fired through the screen, striking him. The suspect then shot him five more times. The suspect pled not guilty by reason of insanity and was acquitted.
Survivors
Deputy Smith had been with the agency for 35 years and was survived by his wife, 12 children, and several grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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35 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Smith gave the Pike County Sheriff's Office 35 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pike County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl 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 1979, 1 officer at Pike County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 2.
In 1979, 5 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 62. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Pike County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 45; the middle age was 43. Earl had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 0.9 years.
Earl was 62. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Earl had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Earl was 62. 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. Earl had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 62. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 23.1% of these deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 15.4%.
May holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.3% of all 16 deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.4% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Pike County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
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Charles Smith Mar 19, 1911
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Patton Bartley
Feb 19, 1917
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Walter Deal Jan 10, 1921
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Jesse Ferrell May 30, 1925
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Louis Casebolt
May 25, 1926
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Frank Phillips Dec 13, 1926
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Thomas C. Tackett
Dec 16, 1929
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John Allen
Jul 20, 1930
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Boyd Westin Hatfield Nov 11, 1931
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Earl Scott
Jan 7, 1939
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John F. Cable Oct 2, 1940
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Roy Conway
Jul 28, 1950
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Dave Coleman, Jr.
Aug 3, 1951
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Earl Smith May 15, 1979
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Poyster Keene
May 8, 1993
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James Ireland Thacker
Jan 23, 2012
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
