United States of America
U.S. Air Force · United States 
Joe Smith
1974
Joe Smith Jr. served the U.S. Air Force.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Deputy Joe Smith was shot and killed by a hitchhiker while giving directions to a truck driver around 1:30 a.m. The truck driver had picked up the hitchhiker, a soldier, from nearby Fort Bragg. While Deputy Smith sat in his patrol car at the 401 Truck O'Tel on U.S. 401 south of Fayetteville, the suspect exited the truck and shot him in the head. The suspect then stole Deputy Smith's patrol car and wrecked it while being pursued by police. The suspect fled on foot into a residential area and was captured minutes later. There was no motive for the murder. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison on April 1, 1974. He was paroled on July 8, 1988. Deputy Smith was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
Keepsakes
Service Record
U.S. Air Force
Also Served
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Sheriff
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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