Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Semper Fi Marine. 66 years have passed since your tragic day. May God bless you and honor you for your dedicated duty both to our beloved Corps and our beloved Blue & Gold. You are missed and will always be in our hearts.

State Traffic Officer 7185.
California Highway Patrol & US Marine

September 9, 2022

Rest in peace Officer Smith.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 5, 2022

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 9, 2020

Charles Smith was my grandfather . My mom was only a couple months old when he was taken from us . I never had the pleasure of meeting him . So reading all these post have really touched my heart . Thank you for all the kind words for my grandfather .

Nichole A
Granddaughter

June 19, 2020

Tough Brother. Not forgotten.

Anon
FF/PM

March 20, 2020

I am a dear friend of his nephew, Tom Smith. Thank you for your service to
God and Country. Semper Fi Brother!

L/Cpl Ronald G. Bailey
Friend of Officer’s Smith’s nephew

May 16, 2019

RIP BROTHER. Hope the two gutless cowards died in pain.

Deputy Constable Anonymous Anonymous
31 years of service

April 20, 2018

Today, returning home to Phoenix from the Bay Area, I noticed an overpass on I-10 near Palm Springs CA which is dedicated to the memory of Officer Charles Taylor Smith.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

September 18, 2017

Rest In Peace Brother. You are not forgotten

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
City of Upland, CA

September 9, 2017

Every time I read about Officer Smith, I find it is somewhat personal. My wife Christine grew up in Capay Rancho, which very near Orland, and she was about seven years old when this happened. That Officer Smith was, though mortally wounded, able to bring down both suspects is remarkable. We will never know this side of the grave how many lives were saved by his actions.

Stan Jefferson
citizen

September 7, 2014

Officer Smith is my cousin. He is the son of my Great Uncle, my grandmother's brother. My dad's family split in the 1920s and part of them went to California, while the others stayed in Texas. They went back and forth, but were always proud and loved each other. My grandparents were married in California. I was so happy and so in awe when I discovered the story of my cousin's bravery and heroism in the face of death. His history will now be added to my family history and will truly be passed down. Rest in peace.

Ramona Murley Michael
Cousin

December 5, 2013

My Father used to tell me stories of how he used to love to trout fish with you and he really respected you! What a Brave man you are and Thank You for your service. God Bless to you and your family!

Joseph Cortijo Jr.
Cousin

December 31, 2012

My father was just telling me about you and your memorial he saw recently. My grandfather was cousins with your grandmother-in-law. My father remembers fishing/hunting with you. He was 12 when you passed. Thank you for protecting us and for the memories you gave my father. You are remembered and loved!!

Cortijo
a cousin

August 6, 2012

Killed by a fellow Marine just makes me sick and I can not understand what was going thru those two scumbags for what they did to you. I served in the Corps for 6 years with 1.5 years in Viet Nam...Unreal that there were scum even in the Corps.....If there was ever a time that someone should say that a person that served in the Corps should be totally forgotten this is the time...Semper Fi Marine and may the two scum that took your life live forever in HELL....God Bless you..

State Traffic Officer #7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol/USMC

March 24, 2011

You are a true hero. Rest in peace. Never forgotten. We all continue on and fight the fight in your honor sir.

Officer James Perrone
Sunnyvale CA Department of Public Safety

December 10, 2010

Officer Smith, I couldn't help being moved by your heroism. Although you gave your life you did so to protect us all by killig both of the suspects. I want to honor you sir by promising that you will never be forgotten. I also think of your example in my own life while at work and only hope that I will act with the same dedication and bravery if I am ever faced with such a situation. Thank you for your service sir.

Andrew Schuck
NLVPD

November 5, 2009

Rest in Peace, Officer Smith. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 53rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I also salute your service to our country as a Marine which has personally made me feel the circumstances of your death were even more reprehensibe. Semper Fi.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

September 9, 2009

Rest in Peace Officer Smith.

Assist, Protect, Defend.

SPC Smith
United States Army Military Police Corps.

April 14, 2009

I HOPE THAT I CAN BE AS BIG OF MAN AS TROOPER SMITH WAS WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THIS KIND OF EVIL.

TROOPER JASON HILDENSTAB
MONTANA HIGHWAY PATROL

December 12, 2007

51 years ago you showed all us what it takes to be a rightous CHP Officer!! You took "Rather Than Swerve From The Path Of Duty" to a new level brother and I look forward to being in your presence someday..Keep resting easy knowing the Blue and Gold NEVER forgets our own!! God Bless All

DB
CALIF HWY PATROL..RET

September 8, 2007

Even though you died 8 years before I was born, I still considered you my hero Marine. We both serve our nation
like real marines. Please look out for me when I get to
heaven be cuase we marines know they are guarded by us!

Semper fi Marine.

Sgt USMCR and Trooper J.E. Blanco FHP Retired disabled on duty May 1992.

Trooper J.E. Blanco
FHP Retired disabled on duty

August 4, 2007

Officer Smith,

I've read many reflections, but your story in particular touched me greatly. Serving your country the way you did both in military and civilian life, and ultimately losing your life while in the performance of your sworn duties, leads me to tell you thank you very much for your unselfish service. To be able to return fire like you did demonstrates to me you were a real man and hero.

Don-CO Supervisor
SD GFP

June 11, 2007

Thank you for your service and dedication. May you rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

November 7, 2006

I, at the age of 7, 0n that day in 1956 was the only eye witness to this officers death. This man was a real hero and his courage will stay with me to my dieing day.

Sgt. Harold A. White
Glenn County Sheriffs Department

October 4, 2006