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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Sam Smith was killed in an automobile crash on California Road while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
While traveling northbound on California Road, north of Jackson Road, his patrol car left the roadway, struck a tree, and then burst into flames.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Smith served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ottawa 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
Samuel is the only officer of Franklin County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Samuel is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in KS, 19.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 2 officers in KS were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 3.
In 2010, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2010, 78 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 60th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Samuel was 23. Of the 59 lost to accidents in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 49; the middle age was 37. Samuel had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Samuel was 23. 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. Samuel had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 23. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Samuel had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.6% of these deaths in KS; November holds the most, 13.6%. Fridays: 21.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 19.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Franklin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.