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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Howard Smith died when he fell while investigating a possible burglary at the Pleasure Inn. After receiving reports of a man climbing out of a window, Deputy Smith and two other officers arrived on the scene to investigate. Deputy Smith went through another window to enter the building. The window led to the basement, and he fell 14 feet, hitting his head. He never regained consciousness and died at the St. Anthony Hospital. Deputy Smith had served with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office for four years.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Smith gave the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rockford 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 · Accident
Winnebago County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Howard is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Howard is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Howard is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1946, 7 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1946, 63 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1946, 68 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Howard was 33. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Howard was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Howard was 33. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10.5% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 17.2%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Winnebago County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Howard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Winnebago County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
