Officer Lafayette A. Smith

Lafayette A. Smith

Officer Lafayette Smith was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect near S 9th Street and Douglas Street.

He had observed a man and woman struggling in the street at 12:45 am and attempted to arrest the man. During the ensuing struggle, Officer Smith was shot by the suspect. The suspect was later shot and critically wounded by a detective before being taken into custody. He died in the hospital nine days later.

The suspect was one of three men arrested for the murder of Police Officer Charles Mayer of the St. Paul, Minnesota Police Department on February 1, 1902. All three men were released because of a lack of evidence and a key witness refusing to testify.

Officer Smith had served with the Omaha Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife and son.