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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Larry Smith was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call. When he arrived on the scene, he was confronted by a man with a shotgun. He ordered the man to drop the gun, and the two fired at each other almost simultaneously. Deputy Smith was killed at the scene, and the suspect succumbed to his wounds several days later. Deputy Smith had served with the Otero County Sheriff's Office for one year.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Smith gave the Otero County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the La Junta 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
Larry is the only officer of Otero County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Larry is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Larry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Larry is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 6 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Larry was 23. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Larry had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Larry was 23. 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. Larry had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Larry was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Larry had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Otero County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Otero County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.