Night Policeman James "Jim" Vallard Smith

Photo of Night Policeman James "Jim" Vallard Smith
End of Watch: Wed, Oct 25th, 1967
Date of Incident: Wed, Oct 25th, 1967
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
Service Time: Not Known
Age: 39

Survivors

His five brothers and five sisters

Incident

Night Chief Jim Smith was accidentally shot and killed by another officer while struggling with a drunk driving suspect.

Chief Smith, along with three other officers in his patrol car, had pursued the vehicle to Gilliam Hill where they forced it to stop. When Chief Smith approached the driver, the man punched him in the face. A second officer then struck the driver on the head with the butt of his service revolver, which then discharged. The round struck Chief Smith in the head, killing him.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested and held on a drunk driving charge.

Chief Smith was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He was survived by his five brothers and five sisters.

Information obtained from the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Agency

Barbourville Police Department Patch
P.O. Box 1300
Barbourville, Kentucky 40906
(606) 546-3441

Tributes

There is 1 tribute for Night Policeman James "Jim" Vallard Smith.

Night Policeman James "Jim" Vallard Smith
Left by Amy on Friday, October 10th, 2014

Thank you for your service.