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Incident
City Marshal Smead Franklin was killed in an automobile crash while en route to Texarkana for a meeting.
He was attempting to pass a large truck when it came into his lane, forcing him into a bridge.
Marshal Franklin had been with the Garland City Police Department for 29 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
29 years. You could have gone home.
City Marshal Franklin gave the Garland City Police Department 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Garland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Franklin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Smead is the only officer of Garland City Police Department remembered here.
Smead is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Smead is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Smead is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1989, 2 officers in AR were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 55 years on record. The heaviest was 1998, with 7.
In 1989, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1989, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Smead was 78. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. Smead had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Smead was 78. 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. Smead had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Smead was 78. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Smead had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 5.4% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Fridays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Garland City Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 24.7% of all 372 deaths in AR, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
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