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Incident
Deputy Max Smith was shot twice with a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun when he tried to arrest an ex-convict on a warrant for using a gun to threaten a relative earlier in the day. The man Deputy Smith was trying to arrest asked to go to another room of his home to put some oil in a stove. When Deputy Smith went to check on him, the man had the shotgun. Deputy Smith, who was known to never carry a gun in performance of his duties, was shot from behind once as he turned to get into his car. He staggered into a ditch, where he fell. As he got up, the suspect, who was standing on his porch, shot him in the back. When the suspect told a witness to the shooting to accompany him away from the scene, the witness was able to get away on the pretext of needing to get his own car and some clothing. The witness then went into town and notified the sheriff, who arrested the suspect. The suspect surrendered when he saw that the sheriff was holding an automatic shotgun under his arm. Deputy Smith was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died about two hours after the shooting. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Survivors
Deputy Smith was survived by his three brothers and one sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 served with the Moniteau County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the California 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
Moniteau County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Max is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Max is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Max 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 1934, 11 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Max was 51. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Max was 51. 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.
Max was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 8.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Moniteau County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.7% 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.
His people
Moniteau County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Max among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Moniteau County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
