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Incident
Officer William Smith was struck and killed by a Northern Pacific Railroad freight train while standing on a crossing. He was watching two southbound trains when he was struck by a train that was backing up on the track he was on.
Officer Smith was survived by his wife and daughter.
Survivors
Officer Smith 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.
Officer Smith served with the Centralia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Centralia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Centralia Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1910, 1 officer in WA was lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 1910, 18 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 121st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1910, 21 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 132nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 55. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38.
William was 55. 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.
William was 55. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 9.9% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Fridays: 18%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Centralia Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, 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.
His people
Centralia Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Centralia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.