U.S. Army · United States 
William Smith
1948
William Jefferson Smith served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Patrolman William Smith was shot and killed by the wife of a man he was attempting to arrest outside a bar in the 600 block of Court Street. The woman and her husband were arguing loudly and profanely on a street corner. Patrolman Smith attempted to arrest the man when his warning to be more quite was ignored. As he struggled with the man the wife shot him in the back of the head. The woman was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to five to 18 years in the women's prison at Pence Springs on March 4th, 1949. Patrolman Smith was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Charleston Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Charleston Police Department
Patrolman
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnbrjvjapm7gy1547eq7
Record added
August 2, 2026
neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by
neuraweb.nw
Last updated
August 2, 2026
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
Be the first to honor William.
Leave a Tribute