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Incident
Town Marshal Robert Smithwick succumbed to gunshot wounds suffered two days earlier when he interrupted a burglary at a neighbor's house.
He was at home with his family when his wife noticed a prowler outside of the neighbor's home and alerted him. He was shot when he confronted the man.
Deputies took him to Orange General Hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds two days later.
Marshal Smithwick also served as a deputy for the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Smithwick served with the Groveland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Groveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Smithwick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Robert is the only officer of Groveland Police Department remembered here.
Robert is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1929, 7 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 44. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Robert was 44. 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.
Robert was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in FL, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Groveland Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 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 44-W
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