This Westfield officer died 96 years ago. He was finally honored.

Almost a hundred years ago, William Meade Smith died in a road accident.

Then his name became history.

Smith was a 45-year-old night watchman in the town of Westfield. He was found in the roadway of the modern 100 block of South Union Street by an undertaker on his way home to Kokomo.

At some point after the man’s death in the early morning hours of November 2, 1928, he was forgotten in Westfield’s history. It was widely believed that Deputy Marshal David Brown, shot in 1969, was the only Westfield law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty.

But now, 96 years later, Smith’s name is engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., thanks to Lt. Rory Gentry of the Westfield Police Department.

“It’s good to remember“ Gentry said, “but it’s better never to forget.”

Last year, Diana Peyton of the Westfield Washington Historical Society tipped Gentry about a forgotten night watchman. Gentry then began a month-long research project, learn more about Smith and make sure he is properly honored.

“(Smith) was a guy who protected our community,” Gentry said, “and knowing him changes the entire history of the Westfield area.”

Who was William Meade Smith?

At the time, dozens of newspapers in Indiana reported Smith’s death in 1928. Now the articles and other documents were collected in Gentry’s three-ring binder.

According to newspaper reports, on the night of his death, a guard’s hat and flashlight were found about 50 feet from where his body lay in the road. Smith was pronounced dead shortly after the doctor arrived, and the driver who killed him was never brought to justice.

“It’s amazing how many different newspapers reported what happened to him,” Gentry said. “If we go back to the newspaper from 1928, the reports will be different. There were more rumors than today.”

Gentry learned that Smith’s father was the city’s postmaster and that his mother received a monthly salary of $15.50 from the city for the month he was murdered. Smith had at least one brother and one sister. He was single, without children.

Since February:Two Indiana State Troopers Killed by Runaway Vehicles. Can their deaths cause change?

“There is an interesting story where he worked as a night watchman at a bank downtown,” Gentry said. “Someone thought they were robbing the place and started shooting at the front door.”

From the newspapers, Gentry also learned more mundane facts about the man’s life: Smith was a substitute mail carrier in the city, and his family had once sold their furnace.

“All the family members went out into the community and it turns out everyone had found a buyer, so all these people showed up thinking they had bought a furnace,” Gentry said. “It ended up in the paper.”

Gentry worked with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, the health department and the coroner’s office to see if any additional information could be found in old records. He found Smith’s military registration card and death certificates.

“We are losing the history of Westfield every day,” said Peyton of the historical society. “The changes taking place in Westfield are incredibly rapid, so preserving our history is more important than ever.”

The most important information Gentry found was in official Town of Westfield records maintained by the historical society. There was the proof he needed that Smith was indeed a law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty.

Smith’s story became personal for Gentry

With the support of his department, Gentry submitted a 19-page report to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Late last year, Gentry learned that Smith’s name would be included on the monument because of his research.

In May, the lieutenant went to the nation’s capital for a candlelight vigil, during which the names of the fallen officers included in the monument were read. He took with him commemorative coins that he designed in honor of two of Westfield’s fallen officers.

Since 2013:Indianapolis Officer Rod Bradway Named ‘Silent Hero’

It was an emotional journey for Gentry, whose nephew was killed in the line of duty in 2013. Rod Bradway, an officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, was shot and killed after arriving at the scene of a domestic disturbance.

“It brought back memories for Rod, so it was a tough week,” Gentry said. “You realize that everyone has the same kind of loss.”

William Meade Smith’s grave is in Westfield Cemetery

After several conflicting reports about the man’s burial location, Gentry found Smith next to his mother and father at Little Eagle Creek Cemetery. There is a simple tombstone with the man’s middle name and year of birth and death.

Gentry notes that much has changed in Westfield and among law enforcement officials since Smith’s time.

He hopes Smith’s story isn’t over yet because he’s still trying to find a photo of the night watchman. Gentry also hopes to make contact with Smith’s living relatives.

“It’s important to remember where we come from,” Gentry said. “Even though things were different back then, there was still someone who sacrificed.”

Anyone with information about William Meade Smith can contact Gentry at [email protected].

Contact Jake Allen at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.