Incident
Police Officer Robert Smith was shot and killed after he and other officers responded to a report of a man firing a gun into a condo complex at 0110 hours. During the search for the suspect Officer Smith located him and shined his flashlight on him. When he did this the suspect opened fire with a rifle, striking Officer Smith four times. Other officers responded to the sound of the gun shots and returned fire, wounding the suspect. The 32-year-old man was taken into custody and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Smith had served with the Charlotte Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, sister, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtprgv42wyydb1h0adcz6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Smith gave the Charlotte Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charlotte Police Department has lost 18 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 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, 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 1987, 1 officer at Charlotte Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 2.
In 1987, 1 officer in NC was killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 27. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Charlotte Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 44; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Robert was 27. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 27. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 27. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 15.4% of these deaths at Charlotte Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.4%.
January holds 6.5% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.2% of all 18 deaths at Charlotte Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Charlotte Police Department has 18 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
-
James Moran Apr 4, 1892
-
James H. Brown Aug 2, 1904
-
John Robert Estridge
Mar 29, 1913
-
Joseph Eckels Orr Sep 29, 1926
-
John North Byers Sep 30, 1926
-
Robert M. Reid
Jan 1, 1927
-
Harvey Edgar Correll
Jan 22, 1929
-
Thomas H. Jenkins
Oct 21, 1929
-
Benjamin H. Frye
Jun 9, 1930
-
Charles P. Nichols
Apr 17, 1936
-
Charlie Herbert Baker
Apr 12, 1941
-
Johnny Reed Annas
May 21, 1960
-
Edmond N. Cannon
Nov 23, 1981
-
Ernest Coleman
Jul 1, 1982
-
Timothy Wayne Whittington
Jul 16, 1985
-
Robert Louis Smith
Jan 15, 1987
-
Milus Terry Lyles
Aug 6, 1990
-
Eugene A. Griffin
Nov 22, 1991
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Charlotte Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.












