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Daniel E. Smith
Incident
Trooper Daniel Smith was struck and killed by a drunk driver on Highway 80, east of Newton, at approximately 11:35 pm. He and his partner had stopped another car and were searching it for illegal whiskey. As the troopers and the driver of the vehicle stood by the trunk another car struck the rear of the patrol car, crushing the three between the patrol car and the car that had been stopped. Trooper Smith and the man they had stopped were both killed. The other trooper was seriously injured. The suspect was convicted in connection with Trooper Smith's death, but the judge did not sentence him to any jail time because he had three small children. Trooper Smith had been served with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for 7 months and was assigned to Troop H.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Smith served with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Thank you for your service to the people of Mississippi. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol has lost 28 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Daniel is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel 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 1959, 2 officers at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1959, 2 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1959, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1959, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 30. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 37; the middle age was 34. Daniel had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 2.5 years.
Daniel was 30. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Daniel had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Daniel was 30. 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. Daniel had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10% of these deaths at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol; February holds the most, 30%. Saturdays: 30%.
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Saturdays: 18.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 35.7% of all 28 deaths at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 2.1% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol has 28 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
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Adrian Cole
Sep 8, 1940
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Loma Laine Dyess
Oct 27, 1942
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James Mortimer Barry
Feb 1, 1947
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Cyril J. Reichert
Feb 5, 1947
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James H. Tingle
Sep 7, 1950
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Herbert E. Nixon
Apr 22, 1951
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Carl M. Thach
Jan 15, 1954
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Walter W. Smith
Sep 22, 1955
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Hurfu L. Duckworth
Aug 19, 1959
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Daniel E. Smith
Nov 7, 1959
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Julian Davis
Nov 27, 1963
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Marcus Lamastus
Jul 17, 1965
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Joseph A. Pol
Nov 27, 1965
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Tommy E. Kendall
May 16, 1966
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William Kenny
Dec 21, 1967
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William O. Swindoll
Oct 5, 1968
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Joe Clay
May 27, 1974
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Billy M. Langham
Dec 31, 1981
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George Danny Nash, Jr.
Feb 4, 1983
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Steven K. Gardner
Mar 23, 1984
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James Kenneth Bounds
Oct 21, 1984
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David Bruce Ladner
Apr 12, 1987
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Ralph R. Newell
Oct 28, 1988
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Tommie Earl Owens
Jul 28, 1989
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Bobby L. Wells, Jr.
Jun 27, 1995
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Paul Denham, III
Dec 27, 1999
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Steve Loy Hood
May 29, 2009
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John Martin Harris
May 28, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
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Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
