A/Sergeant Paul Smith
Lethbridge Police Department
Alberta
End of Watch: Tuesday, June 10, 1913

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Electrocution
Date of Incident: Tuesday, June 10, 1913
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

On his first day as Acting Sergeant on the Lethbridge Police force, Paul Smith, was struck down and killed early in the morning of the 10th of June 1913. A/Sgt Smith came into contact with an electric light wire, on the corner of Third Avenue and Ninth Street South in Lethbridge Alberta.

It was understood that the light was out on the this morning and A/Sgt Smith attempted to turn it on again by shaking the chain, which is within reach from the ground. The chain came into contact with the bare portion of the wire and the circuit was instantly completed. A/Sgt Smith was on the ground, which was wet, making it a more ready conductor. Burn marks were noticeable on the palm of Smith's right hand, on his feet and shoes, and the insulation of the wire ,close to where it had been rubbed bare.

A/Sgt Smith had joined the Lethbridge Police Service on 01 November 1912. A/Sgt Smith's Policing career started with the North West Mounted Police on May 11 1909 at St. John, New Brunswick. His Regimental number at this time was 4885 and he was 27 years and 6 months. Smith served at Regina Saskatchewan and in Edmonton Alberta. Constable Smith purchased his discharge from the N.W.M.P. May 9th, 1912 at Fort Saskatchewan Alberta. Smith had apparently served in the South African (Boer) War.