Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Smith,
On today, the 125th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City.


R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 26, 2022

In October of 1897, neighborhood police officer Frederick “Schmitty” Smith was killed in the church while trying to arrest a burglar who, it was soon discovered, was the leader of a gang of criminals responsible for a burglary and murder at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Brooklyn. After shooting Smith and attempting an unsuccessful escape through a church schoolroom window, a man giving the name of “Fritz Meyer” was apprehended and taken to police headquarters. Detectives there noticed Meyer was missing his left index finger above the first joint, which matched a bloody handprint left at the scene of the murder of Holy Trinity bellringer George Stelz two months prior. After further inquiry, police confirmed that a pocketbook in Meyer’s possession had belonged to Mr. Stelz. The subsequent trial of Mr. Meyer, whose real name was Constantine Steiger, made headlines in the New York City dailies throughout the following month.

Officer Smith achieved hero status both among the New York City police force and the neighborhood in which he lived and served. His funeral was held the Saturday after his death and consisted of two separate services—a Masonic service at Mott’s Hall on Sixth Street and a Catholic service at Holy Redeemer. Though Smith had been a Mason (and probably a Lutheran) in life, Holy Redeemer Father Aloysius Engelhardt had administered last rites to him as he lay dying, mistakenly believing him to be Catholic. After his death, friends and family came forward claiming he had indeed expressed a desire to become Catholic, and so the two services were arranged, with a mourning procession between them winding through the neighborhood. The World reported that nearly ten thousand supporters thronged to bid Officer Smith a final farewell. In 1912, he would be further memorialized by being one of the first thirty-two officers recognized for death in the line of duty on a marble “Roll of Honor” placed at the entrance to the Police Headquarters building at 240 Centre Street.

Frederick Smith’s story would continue to live on at Holy Redeemer in a less tangible form, intertwining with the church’s collection of religious relics to give rise to a legend regarding his final resting place. A 1947 article in The Milwaukee Journal reported that hundreds of Catholic visitors from across the United States visited Holy Redeemer on Maundy Thursday of that year to view what they believed to be the preserved remains of the fallen officer. In reality, they were viewing the wax figure of a certain Saint Datian, whose bones were gifted to the church from Italy in 1892. This story is a testament to the continuing significance of the church to the Catholic community well into the twentieth century.

To read the entire article with photos:
https://www.villagepreservation.org/2012/12/27/walking-east-3rd-street-church-of-the-most-holy-redeemer/

Lt. James West
NYPD

October 26, 2022

I said a little prayer today for Patrolman Smith and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Rpbyn Wilkes

October 21, 2015

Thank you for your heroism Sir, RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

September 5, 2012

Patrolman Smith,
On today, the 114th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York. It took another four years but your murderer finally got the justice that he deserved.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP

October 26, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 112th 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.

How despicable were your murderers to be stealing from a poor box at church and then to shoot you. You were in God's house, a place of goodness. The circumstances of your murder really bothers me today so I can imagine the rage of those who wanted to avenge your death. Justice was done the legal way and your family didn't have to wait decades for it to be carried out.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 26, 2009

Rest in peace as we will always remember you.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

October 26, 2007

As the aniverssary of your death nears we remember you and thank you Sir for your service.

This writer finds it amazing that the church goers were climbing out the windows and starting a lynch mob.

This writer is pleased that justice was served on your behalf, and by the State of NY rather than the church going citizens

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 23, 2007

Patrolman Smith, on this 109th anniversary of your murder, I can’t help what kind of man would kill a police officer, in a church, over the contents of a poor box? There cannot have been enough in there (especially in 1897) that someone could justify it even to themselves. Though it did not bring you back, justice was served, 3 years later.

God Bless you and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

October 26, 2006

MY BROTHER, WHAT AN HONOR TO LEAVE A REFLECTION TO YOU. A HERO FOR SURE. SURELY YOU RAN INTO THE LOWLIFE OF THE LOWEST WHEN YOU RAN INTO YOUR MURDERER. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL, NOW REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

October 26, 2004

Thank you for your brave service. Rest in peace.

A citizen

October 26, 2004