Superintendent Reddin Allen Smith

Reddin Allen Smith

Superintendent Reddin Smith succumbed to gunshot wounds he received the day prior while searching for nine escaped convicts near Ayden.

Superintendent Smith was leading a posse and, with the aid of bloodhounds, tracked the suspect who had shot and killed Superindentent Joseph McLawhorn. The posse divided into groups of two as they entered the swamp area. The suspect jumped out from behind a tree and shot Superintendent Smith in the abdomen with Superintendent McLawhorn's service pistol. He was transported to Ayden and then to the Kinston Hospital by train. Superindentent Smith died from his wounds the next day.

The suspect was shot and killed when he fired at posse members attempting to apprehend him.

Superintendent Smith was promoted to Superintendent when Superintendent Joseph McLawhorn was shot 13 days earlier. He was survived by his expectant wife and three young children. His daughter was born almost four months after his death. His son also served in law enforcement.