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Incident
Deputy DeWitt Smith was shot and killed as he Sheriff Standefar investigated a hit-and-run accident. The officers had received information about the whereabouts of the vehicle involved in the accident and after a short chase stopped the vehicle and the three suspects who were believed to be involved in auto theft in several towns. Sheriff Standefar ordered two of the suspects into his patrol car, and one of the suspects to follow in their car. When Deputy Smith got into the back seat of the patrol car one of the suspects pulled a weapon and fired into the car. The bullet his Deputy Smith, who returned fire and hit the suspect four times, killing him. The second suspect in the car attempted to shoot the sheriff but his gun jammed and he escaped on foot; third suspect attended to Deputy Smith while the Sheriff went for help. Deputy Smith was taken to the hospital in Morton where he died an hour later. The two surviving suspects were apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Smith had been with the agency for just under four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Smith gave the Cochran County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Morton 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
Cochran County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
DeWitt is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
DeWitt is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
DeWitt 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 1939, 10 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
DeWitt was 46. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. DeWitt had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
DeWitt was 46. 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. DeWitt had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
DeWitt was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. DeWitt had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Cochran County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cochran County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, DeWitt among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cochran County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
