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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Mike Smith was killed in an automobile crash while responding to a fire at an oil tank battery just before 7:00 a.m.
He was traveling northbound on Route 349, north of Rankin when an oil-field truck crossed the center line and struck his patrol car head-on.
Deputy Smith had served with the Upton County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Deputy Smith had served with the Upton County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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 Smith gave the Upton County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rankin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Upton County Sheriff's Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2012, 4 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2012, 51 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2012, 56 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 95th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 44. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Michael was 44. 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. Michael had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Fridays: 15.7%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Upton County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Upton County Sheriff's Department has 5 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Upton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
