Incident
Marshal Rolland Smith was shot and killed when he interrupted six suspects burglarizing a bank in the middle of the night. Marshal Smith was shot in the head during an exchange of gunfire with the suspects. Three suspects were apprehended by Missouri authorities as they crossed the Missouri River bridge leading to Leavenworth. Two weeks later a wooden leg led to the capture of a suspect near Chicago by Pinkerton and Northwestern Detectives. A peg at the bottom of the leg produced a unique track in the snow. On January 11, 1903, a fifth suspect was apprehended in Fort Worth, Texas. Four of the five were convicted of attempted bank robbery and sentenced to 8 years each in Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. It is unknown if the suspect with the wooden leg was ever captured of if any of the six were held responsible for Marshal Smith's murder.
Survivors
Marshal Smith was survived by his wife and young child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Marshal Smith served with the Chelsea Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chelsea community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rolland is the only officer of Chelsea Marshal's Office remembered here.
Rolland is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Rolland is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rolland 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 1901, 3 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rolland was 23. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
Rolland 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.
Rolland was 23. 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 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Thursdays: 9.3%.
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 Chelsea Marshal's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.6% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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