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Incident
Sheriff Robert Smith and Deputy Jake Owen were shot and killed after arresting two men for stealing seed cotton. The officers allowed the men to go home and change before transporting them to jail. When the suspects exited their home they began shooting at the officers. Sheriff Smith was shot while still in his vehicle, the bullet striking in the back and going through his heart. Deputy Owen jumped from the vehicle but was gunned down by the suspects. The shooting suspect in the killing of Sheriff Smith and Deputy Owen was sentenced to death, but was sent to a state mental hospital. He was declared sane, returned to prison and executed in the electric chair at the Texas State Prison in Huntsville in 1929. A second suspect was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison but was paroled after serving 14 years. Sheriff Smith had served with the agency for eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Sheriff Smith served with the Fisher County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roby 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
Fisher County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1927, 18 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 30. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Robert had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Robert was 30. 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. Robert had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Fisher County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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
Fisher County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fisher County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
