Smith, Officer William H.

Officer Smith of the Centralia Police Department tragically lost his life after being struck by a moving train.

On December 23, 1910, Centralia Patrolman William Smith was crossing multiple railroad tracks at a poorly lit crossing in the dead of night. According to reports, numerous train cars were in motion, complicating visibility and making it challenging to discern their directions. Witnesses, along with writings from news articles and an examination of the circumstances, suggest that the car which struck Patrolman Smith was backing up along its track at the time of impact. The incident left Smith fatally injured, requiring the rail car to be lifted off the tracks to extract his body. Despite the crossing’s reputation as hazardous, there was no night watchman present when Smith attempted to cross.

Reports state that Smith was the oldest officer in the department and one of the oldest in the state at the time of his death. The Tacoma Daily Register reported, “Smith was a veteran of the Civil War and was regarded as one of the nerviest men among officers of Lewis County. He was small in stature, but of great physical strength and courage.”

He was survived by his wife and 20-year-old daughter.