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Incident
Detective Caleb Smith died after being poisoned with arsenic while on duty. It is theorized that the poison was administered to him when he took his midnight lunch break at a local restaurant.
Detective Smith had been on duty for several hours with his partner, but the two separated for their lunch breaks. Shortly after the lunch breaks the two detectives arrested a suspect and returned him to the police station. While they were processing the suspect Detective Smith complained he was feeling ill. He was taken home where his condition worsened. He died a short time later.
An autopsy revealed traces of arsenic in his body and coroner's jury concluded that his death was the result of arsenic poisoning at the hands of persons unknown.
Detective Smith had served with the Flint Police Department for 4 years. He was survived by his wife and two sons. Both of his sons went on to serve in law enforcement.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
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.
Detective Sergeant Smith gave the Flint Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Flint community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Flint Police Department has lost 13 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Caleb is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Caleb is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Caleb 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 1921, 1 officer at Flint Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 4 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1921, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1921, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Caleb was 28. Of the 8 lost to accidents at Flint Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 49.5; the middle age was 38.5. Caleb had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
Caleb was 28. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Caleb had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Caleb was 28. 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. Caleb had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Caleb was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Caleb had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.1% of these deaths at Flint Police Department; February holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 22.2%.
October holds 7.6% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Thursdays: 14.7%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 69.2% of all 13 deaths at Flint Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was poison, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was poison, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was poison, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was poison, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Flint Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Caleb among them.
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Cleveland Murphy Corless Aug 6, 1916
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Caleb Embree Smith
Oct 27, 1921
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Avery M. Hudson Jun 28, 1923
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Matthew Hauer
Apr 18, 1924
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John Wopinski Aug 8, 1932
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Gerald Leach Sep 21, 1940
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Neil Krantz
Apr 24, 1951
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James McCullough Feb 28, 1952
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Alton Fritcher
Jan 5, 1969
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Leslie Dean Keely
Sep 24, 1999
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Owen David Fisher
Jul 16, 2005
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David Lucious Williams
Feb 24, 2009
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Collin Brevik Birnie
Feb 4, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Flint Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
