United States of America
U.S. Air Force · United States 
Thomas Jay Smith
1997
Thomas Jay Smith served the U.S. Air Force.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Investigator Thomas Smith and Lieutenant George Hendrix were killed when their Bell OH-58A helicopter crashed at Kenneth Copeland Airport at 9:30 a.m. Lieutenant Hendrix was piloting the aircraft, one of two donated to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office by the United States military. Witnesses stated that the helicopter had just taken off when it plummeted straight down. Bystanders pulled both deputies from the wreckage and administered CPR but were unable to save them due to intensive spinal, head, and internal injuries. Investigator Smith was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
Keepsakes
Service Record
U.S. Air Force
Also Served
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office
Investigator
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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