James Smith
Agency patch
Patrolman

James Smith

Kansas City Police Department — Kansas City, MO
Felonious
End of Watch June 14, 1928
Age 39
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
The Vigil Panel 55 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James Smith was shot and killed by robbery suspects. Three bank robbers attempted a theft in broad daylight at the Home Trust Company on Walnut Street. Tear gas was tossed inside by the police, forcing them to flee. In the process, they wounded five bystanders, and an elderly man suffered a fatal heart attack from the shock. Patrolman Smith and his partner were working their posts at 11th and Walnut, and 10th and Walnut, when the robbers rushed by. Patrolman Smith was shot and fatally wounded, and his partner was also wounded as he was directing traffic. The robbers were caught several days later. All three suspects were hanged July 25, 1930. Patrolman Smith had been employed with the Kansas City Police Department for 14 years.

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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.
Patrolman Smith gave the Kansas City Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Smith.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Kansas City, Cass County, MO
Platform Identity kcpd.jackson.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 14, 1928
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
Age 39
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 39. 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. James had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Kansas City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years

Patrolman James Smith

Kansas City Police Department · End of Watch June 14, 1928

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W

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