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Incident
Patrolman Smith succumbed to injuries received three years earlier when the patrol car he and Sergeant Clarence Martin were riding in was struck head-on by a car driving on the wrong side of the road. Sergeant Martin was also killed in the accident. Patrolman Smith had been with the agency for one year.
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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Smith gave the Jacksonville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Jacksonville Police Department has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Willie is one of 182 officers lost to accidents in AL, 28.3% of the 643 remembered there.
Willie is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willie is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 3 officers in AL were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 6.
In 1972, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1972, 98 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Willie was 34. Of the 160 lost to accidents in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47.3; the middle age was 36.5. Willie had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Willie was 34. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Willie had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willie was 34. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Willie had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 4.4% of these deaths in AL; July holds the most, 13.2%. Saturdays: 21.4%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Jacksonville Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.3% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Jacksonville Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Willie among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Jacksonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
