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Friday, 01 November 2019 10:57

Officer Henry Smith Jr.

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Officer Henry Smith Jr.

 

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1962 we lost our brother Police Officer Henry Smith Jr. to gunfire based on the following:
from Sun paper news, 8 April 1962

Two Guarded in Patrolman Slaying Case - Wounded Men Hospital: Police Probe Street Shooting
Two wounded men remained under guard at University Hospital Yesterday as Police investigated the murder of then off-duty Central District Patrolman Henry Smith.
The slain officer, 35 year old Patrolman Henry Smith Jr was the father of five, a five year veteran of the force, was shot to death early 7 April 1962 outside a tavern in the 700 block West Lexington Street.
Police said bullets extracted from the patrolman and the two wounded men will be sent to the crime lab for ballistics examination.

The Service weapons of Officer Smith and the two officers that came to his aid have also been sent to the laboratory, for comparison according to police officials.

Officers believe Patrolman Smith may have been slain with his own weapon. His holster was empty and his revolver was found later in an areaway next to 702 West Fayette Street.  

ONE IN SERIOUS CONDITION

Plainclothes and uniform officers canvased the area throughout the day seeking possible witnesses to the slaying which occurred shortly before 2AM

Police said they have not been able to question the wounded men. One was a 30 year old resident of the 500 Blk. North Freemont Ave. he is listed in serious condition with gunshot wounds. The second 39 year old suspect lives in the 200 Blk. of North Freemont Ave. was shot about five times and was listed in satisfactory condition the hospital said.

Patrolman James Thompson, of the Western District said he was a block away when he heard reports from the gunfire.
Evidence at the scene, based on evidence at the scene police theorized, Officer Smith came up on a dice game outside the saloon and was shot to death when he went to break it up. This was believed because of a stack of bills, and a pair of dice found at the scene.

We his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department will not let him be forgotten – RIP Officer Henry Smith and God Bless - Your service "Honored" the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department"  

Follow-up - On 10 April 1962, Police had not found the gun used to kill their brother officer - Patrolman Henry Smith Jr. they had at first felt he may have been killed with his own department issue handgun, as his gun had been found after the shooting in the 700 Blk. of West Fayette Street, it had been emptied. Another officer had witnessed the two men standing over Patrolman Smith apparently emptying a gun into his body. That officer emptied his revolver into the two men.

 

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 700 block West Lexington St
City, St. 7 April, 1962
Panel Number 64-W: 7
Cause of Death Gunfire
District Worked Central

 

Read 4310 times Last modified on Wednesday, 22 January 2020 06:24
Published in Fallen Heroes
Baltimore Police Historical Soicety

The Baltimore Police Historical Society put this and other articles on this website together using research from old newspapers, old books, photos, and artifacts.

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