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Incident
Watchman Elijah Smith was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery at a local hardware store.
The suspect, who was an escaped convict from a Texas prison, was apprehended by officers in Blytheville, Arkansas, a week later while trying to rob a beer truck. He was convicted of Watchman Smith's murder and sentenced to life.
On October 8, 1941, he and three inmates attempted to escape from the Oklahoma Penitentiary. His three inmate companions, Warden Jess Dunn, and Deputy Sheriff William A. Ford of the Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office were shot and killed. He was convicted of Warden Dunn's murder and executed in the electric chair July 14, 1943.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Watchman Smith served with the Byars Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Byars community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Elijah is the only officer of Byars Police Department remembered here.
Elijah is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Elijah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elijah 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 1937, 2 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elijah was 68. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Elijah was 68. 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.
Elijah was 68. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 11.4% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Sundays: 18.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Byars Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
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