Railroad Detective Frank V. Smith, Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

Railroad Detective Frank V. Smith

Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

End of Watch Sunday, May 28, 1916

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Frank V. Smith

Railroad Detective Frank Smith succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier while attempting to arrest two men suspected of stealing freight in Toledo, Ohio.

A railroad switchman had notified the railroad police after he noticed about 30 crates of automobile tires that had been pushed from a train next to the tracks.

Detective Smith and another detective went to the area and concealed themselves nearby to wait for the suspects to return. A short time later two men approached but observed Detective Smith. One of the men opened fire, striking Detective Smith in the chest.

Despite being wounded, Detective Smith returned fire, killing one of the other suspects. He then walked a half mile to a nearby farmhouse where he sought assistance. The other suspect fled the scene but was eventually arrested and charged with murder, along with another accomplice.

Detective Smith was survived by his wife.

Bio

Age Not available
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Ohio
Incident Date Friday, May 26, 1916
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Charged with murder

larceny

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Rest in Peace Railroad Detective Frank V. Smith. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting America's steel roadways.

I Pray for Peace for your ancestors and the men and women who now serve the Railroad Police. I also Pray that the hounds of hell are now gnawing on the bones of those responsible for your murder. May their sorry souls forever burn in hell.

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

May 27, 2016