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Incident
Chief Smith was shot and killed while attempting to break up a disturbance. A group of men had been arguing and shouting in front of a local church just before midnight. As Chief Smith attempted to quell the group one of the men opened fire, fatally shooting him in the chest. The chief was taken to a nearby furniture store where two doctors provided aide. He succumbed to his wound shortly after midnight. The suspect who shot Chief Smith fled the scene. Chief Smith had served with the agency for 1 month.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five 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.
Chief of Police Smith served with the LaFollette Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the LaFollette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
LaFollette Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1914, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1914, 127 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 37. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Samuel had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Samuel was 37. 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. Samuel had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at LaFollette Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% 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
LaFollette Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from LaFollette Police Department are honored on badge.nw.