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Incident
Sheriff Israel Smith was shot and killed while he and several deputies attempted to apprehend bootleggers near Cleveland, Tennessee.
When the deputies approached the still the suspects fled to a home. As the deputies pursued them shots were fired and Sheriff Smith was struck in the abdomen. The subject was arrested but escaped from the Hamilton County Jail on August 14th, 1922.
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.
Sheriff Smith gave the Bradley County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland 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
Bradley County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Israel is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Israel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Israel 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 1922, 6 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Israel was 50. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Israel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Israel was 50. 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. Israel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Israel was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Israel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Bradley County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 11% 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
Bradley County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Israel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Bradley County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
