U.S. Navy · United States 
Charles Smith
1973
Charles T. Smith served the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Police Officers Charles Smith and Gerald Hempe were shot and killed during a traffic stop. While attempting to arrest the driver of the vehicle, a struggle ensued. During the struggle, a bystander who witnessed the stop walked up to the officers and opened fire, striking them both in the neck and head. The bystander had nothing to do with the stop. The suspect was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences on June 12, 1973. He was denied parole in 2010 and 2023. His next parole hearing is in 2027. Officer Smith was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Milwaukee Police Department for eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Also Served
Milwaukee Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmk74z53v52j1968s6qh
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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