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William Francis Smithson
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Smithson was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man following a dispute at a the American Borax Company Plant in Daggett. The man had struck the plant foreman over a pay dispute.
The foreman informed Deputy Smithson of the assault and the two, along with Deputy Smithson's assistant, went to look for the suspect. They located him on a street and as Deputy Smithson began to ask how he was doing, the man suddenly produced a revolver and shot him five times in the upper body.
Deputy Smithson was taken to the local billiard hall where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning.
The suspect was arrested during a search by a large posse. He was convicted of Deputy Smithson's murder and sentenced to death. The governor later commuted his sentence to life. He died in San Quentin State Prison in 1912.
Deputy Smithson had served with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office for approximately two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Smithson gave the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Bernardino community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smithson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has lost 18 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1907, 1 officer at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1907, 12 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 31. Of the 8 killed feloniously at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 40; the middle age was 35.5. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
William was 31. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 31. 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. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 25% of these deaths at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 25%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.8%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 18 deaths at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.4% 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; .32 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has 18 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William Francis Smithson
Oct 20, 1907
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William Jackson Litz
May 23, 1959
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Donald Archibald Mason
Dec 23, 1959
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Billie Rose Heckle
Feb 15, 1960
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Alfred Elder Stewart
Mar 9, 1973
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Frank Marion Pribble
Jul 6, 1975
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Clifford Ernest Sanchez
Apr 6, 1985
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Donald James DeMeulle
Jul 31, 1986
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Keith B. Farley
Apr 12, 1987
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Russell Dean Roberts
Sep 16, 1995
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Ronald Wayne Ives
Sep 1, 2004
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Gregory Alan Gariepy
Jun 22, 2005
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Daniel Jess Lobo, Jr.
Oct 11, 2005
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Jeremiah Alan MacKay
Feb 12, 2013
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Dominic David Vaca
May 31, 2021
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Armando Cantu, Jr.
Nov 18, 2021
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Hector Cuevas, Jr.
Mar 17, 2025
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Andrew Nuñez
Oct 27, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
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