Police Officer Richard Wellington Smith, Tulare Police Department, California

Police Officer Richard Wellington Smith

Tulare Police Department, California

End of Watch Saturday, January 11, 1947

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Richard Wellington Smith

Police Officer Richard Smith was shot and killed while he and other officers searched for a suspect in the basement of a hotel.

The suspect was wanted for failing to appear in court for assaulting his girlfriend with a knife. The suspect was hiding in a storeroom and saw Officer Smith through a crack in the wall. The man opened fire through a wooden partition, fatally wounding Officer Smith. The suspect, 46, then shot and killed himself.

Officer Smith was a United States Army WWII Intelligence Officer veteran and had served with the Tulare Police Department for six months. He was survived by his wife and mother.

In 1978 a street was named Richard Smith Street in Officer Smith's honor.

Bio

Age 29
Tour 6 months
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber
Offender Committed suicide

domestic, warrant service

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Most Recent Reflection

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This man is a HERO! He should have a statue down town. He selflessly gave his life in the line of duty. That is alot and too much sometimes to ask of a person but he did it bravely and valiantly. When I think of hero this is what I think of men and women like this. Thank you and may you find peace in heaven!

Craig Isherwood
Citizen of the city of tulare ca

April 5, 2023