Deputy Sheriff Hoke Baird Smith, Columbus County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

Deputy Sheriff Hoke Baird Smith

Columbus County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

End of Watch Tuesday, May 13, 1930

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Hoke Baird Smith

Deputy Sheriff Hoke Smith succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained five months earlier when four men came to his house near Clarkton and shot him.

The murder was in retaliation for Deputy Smith's involvement in a raid on an illegal whiskey still in Welches Creek township.

The four suspects all pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and were sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison. One was paroled on January 10th, 1936. Another escaped from prison in October of 1930 and was captured in April of 1933 in Oklahoma. He escaped again on April 12th, 1939, but was quickly recaptured. He was paroled on February 13th, 1943.

Deputy Smith was survived by his wife, three sons, and five daughters.

Bio

Age 36
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Tuesday, December 31, 1929
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to 25 years

at home, retaliation, alcohol violation

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Most Recent Reflection

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Granddaddy, we laid to rest Aunt Julia on February 5, 2022. By now she should be sitting on your lap and now you finally have all your children with you.

Kenneth Elwood Smith II
Grandson

February 7, 2022