California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California
End of Watch Saturday, December 19, 1970
Add to My HeroesPaul Steven Smith
Game Warden Paul Smith drowned while conducting an abalone survey in the Pacific Ocean off of the Mendocino coast.
He was conducting the survey at the bluff at Heeser Drive with other members of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and members of the biology department at Humboldt State College.
He became separated from the rest of the party as the conditions worsened, and they headed back to shore. His body was recovered three days later. His was the third drowning in the same area.
Game Warden Smith had served with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for one year. He was survived by his wife and two sons.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour 1 year
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Drowned
Most Recent Reflection
View all 12 ReflectionsRest in peace.
J.R.
December 19, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Jeremy R. Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025

Officer Jason Roscow
North Las Vegas Police Department, NV
EOW: February 4, 2025

Major Jeffrey A. Burke
New Jersey State Police, NJ
EOW: December 31, 2024

Corporal Dennis Francis Kelly
Delaware State Police, DE
EOW: December 21, 2024

Officer Baldino Morales-Sánchez
Mayagüez Municipal Police Department, PR
EOW: January 25, 2025

Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: January 20, 2025

Sergeant Mark Butler
Navasota Police Department, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesus Vargas
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025

Police Officer II Colton Dale Pulsipher
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, NV
EOW: December 12, 2024