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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Smith succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained nearly one month earlier as he and several citizens attempted to arrest a man who had stolen two horses and a buggy.
When the posse located the man, he fled and started firing at them. The posse returned fire, wounding the suspect, who then fell to the ground. As Deputy Smith approached, the man opened fire, striking him in the abdomen. Despite being seriously wounded, Deputy Smith subdued the man and the posse took him into custody.
Deputy Smith's wound became infected, causing his death on May 23, 1891. The suspect escaped from the county jail before the trial was held and was never recaptured.
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135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Smith served with the Strafford County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Dover community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Strafford County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Charles is one of 23 officers killed feloniously in NH, 39% of the 59 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1891, 1 officer in NH was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1997, with 3.
In 1891, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1891, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
May holds 17.4% of these deaths in NH; October holds the most, 21.7%. Saturdays: 13%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Strafford County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 39% of all 59 deaths in NH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 8.7% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
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