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 Guards in Patrolman Slaying Case: Wounded Men Hospital: Police Probe Street Shooting. Two wounded men remained under guard at University Hospital Yesterday, police investigated the murder of then off-duty Central District Patrolman Henry Smith. The slain officer, 35-year old Patrolman Henry Smith Jr., who 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 of 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 weapon. His holster was empty, and his revolver was found later in an area next to 702 West Fayette Street.  

ONE IN SERIOUS CONDITION

Plainclothes and uniform officers canvassed the area throughout the day, seeking possible witnesses to the slaying, which occurred shortly before 2 AM. The police said they have not been able to question the wounded men. One was a 30-year-old resident of 500 Blk. North Freemont Ave. he is listed in serious condition with gunshot wounds. The second 39-year-old suspect lives in the 200 block . 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 upon 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 department issue handgun, but 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.