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Incident
Sheriff Henry Smith was shot and killed in a county courthouse by a man who had just been committed to a state asylum. The man had been arrested the previous day but had never been searched. After the judge signed the commitment papers the subject tried to leave the judge's chambers. When the sheriff tried to stop him the man suddenly turned around and shot the sheriff and then fired at the judge. The suspect was eventually apprehended. He was convicted of first-degree murder and hanged at San Quentin Prison on June 14th, 1907.
Survivors
Sheriff Smith was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Smith served with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ukiah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
J. is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
J. 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 1905, 1 officer in CA was killed feloniously, the 145th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. was 49. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
J. was 49. 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.
J. was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 8.2% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
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 80% of all 5 deaths at Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, J. among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Mendocino County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
