News articles of law enforcement officer's killed in the line of duty.
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OUR THANKS TO RETIRED DETECTIVE JUDGE DAVIS FOR LOCATING THIS PICTURE OF CHIEF SMITH FOR US.
L'FOLLETTE POLICE CHIEF MEETS DEATH
LaFollette, TN May 14, 1914 , Sam H. Smith, Chief of Police of LaFollette died here just after midnight from a pistol wound inflicted by a African American male.
The shooting occurred in front of the M. E. Church. The African American who fired the shot was in a crowd of several that had been quarreling and shooting, and Chief Smith had started into the crowd to quell the disturbance when one of the African American's turned his pistol on the officer and fired a single shot. The bullet entered the Chief's right breast, and he fell mortally wounded. He was carried into a furniture store nearby and medical aid summoned, but the officer expired in less than an hour after he was shot down. The shooting occurred about 11:50 P. M. O'clock.
The African American who fired the shot quickly disappeared, who he was has not been learned.
Chief Smith was about Thirty-seven years of age, and had been Chief of Police only about a month. Prior to that, he was a miner. He came here from Knox County.
He leaves a widow and five children.
Most of the story was taken from The Journal and Tribune, Knoxville, Tenn., Thursday, May 14, 1914. Edited before web site was published.
The below article was taken from the Knoxville News Sentinel, July 6, 1908....as it was sent to John Chase, one of our Retired Detectives by Chief Fine's Great Granddaughter, Jane Wilson. Our appreciation is sent to both of them for this article.
One Life Lost in LaFollette Fire" "Chief of Police M. A. Fine Perished While Fighting the Flames" "Was Overcome by Smoke" "Bradford Hotel Partially Destroyed, Business Section Endangered" Special to The Sentinel.
LaFollette, July 6 - A destructive fire which cost one life and came near being a repetition of the sweeping confilagration of a few years also in this town occurred on Saturday night. The upper floors of the Bradford Hotel were gutted, and for a time it seemed that the entire Tennessee Avenue business section was doomed.
Chief of Police Martin A. Fine lost his life in the discharge of his duty, and in assisting in the fighting the fire and endeavoring to save furnishings of the hotel.
M. A. Fine, Chief of Police, was early on the scene and notified the entire department to have every available hose belonging to department in immediate readiness for use, he himself rushing into the most dangerous places. The fire had not long been in progress when one of the firemen in passing through room number 10, which is located on the second floor of the hotel and near the stairway, stumbled over the fallen form of a human being. The fireman at once caught hold of the body and with assistance of another fireman brought forth the almost lifeless form of Mr. Fine.
He was carried across the street into the Riggs Drug Store and placed in charge of physicians, who did all possible to restore life, but to no avail, he dying in a few minutes. Mr. Fine was one of the best officers LaFollette has ever had and his efficient service will be a great loss to our city, but it can be truthfully said that he died at his post. Mr. Fine leaves a wife and eight small children, the oldest of which is only about fourteen years of age.
The funeral took place today at the new cemetery in LaFollette. M. A. Fine was a member of the B.P.O. Elks at Knoxville, Knights of Pythias and other secret orders in all of which he was a faithful member. The loss of the fire is estimated by some as not exceeding $10,000.00 including damaged done the building, the fixtures, furniture and stock. $10,000.00 insurance was the valuation placed on the entire building and stock, not including the furniture owned by Mrs. Prince the hotel proprietors, who it is claimed, sustained a complete loss of all her property, she having it only partially insured.
Mr. Fine who died as a result of the fire, was one of the first to be attracted by the cry of fire. With others he ran to the nearby hose house, and pulled one of the hand hose reels to the scene of the fire and assisted in laying a line of hose to the burning building. Water from the local waterworks which has a fine pressure, was soon plying upon the building.