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Incident
Deputy Douglas Smith was killed in an automobile accident when his vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle on Highway 97 between Moro and Biggs Junction. He was responding to reports of a vehicle being driven at a high rate of speed and as he crested a hill near mile marker 12 the vehicle struck his head-on. Both vehicles burst into flames and Deputy Smith and the two occupants of the other vehicle were all killed. Deputy Smith had served with the agency for 4 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brothers, and sisters.
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 Sherman County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Moro 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
Douglas is the only officer of Sherman County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Douglas is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in OR, 33.5% of the 197 remembered there.
Douglas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Douglas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 1 officer in OR was lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 45 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 3.
In 1978, 78 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1978, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Douglas was 23. Of the 59 lost to accidents in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 44.5; the middle age was 36. Douglas had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Douglas was 23. 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. Douglas had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Douglas was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Douglas had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 6.1% of these deaths in OR; May holds the most, 16.7%. Sundays: 10.6%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Sherman County Sheriff's Department.
Accident deaths account for 33.5% of all 197 deaths in OR, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
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