In the late hours of a winter evening in Sevierville, Tennessee, a dispute between a husband and wife escalated to a fatal conclusion. James 'Chip' Smith, a 41-year-old Caucasian male and a respected police officer, was shot and killed on February 1, 2020. The events of that night unfolded in the Kodak community, where an argument that began in a vehicle spilled out into the open.
Earlier in the evening, Smith and his wife, Melissa Smith, had been at a local distillery.
An argument ignited between the two as they were driving, leading them to pull over. The disagreement intensified, and Melissa Smith retrieved a. 380-caliber semi-automatic handgun from their vehicle. She then fired a single shot, striking her husband in the abdomen. Emergency services were called to the scene where they found James Smith lying wounded in the grass with his wife beside him. He was transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, but he did not survive his injuries.
Melissa Smith, who was 37 at the time, was taken into custody at the scene by the Sevierville Police Department. She was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder and possession of a handgun while under the influence. During questioning, she admitted to shooting her husband. She was booked into the Sevier County Jail. The investigation that followed confirmed that the couple had been at the Old Tennessee Distilling Co. prior to the shooting.
James 'Chip' Smith had a long and honorable career in law enforcement, having served with several departments in the area, including the Red Bank, Chattanooga, and Soddy-Daisy police departments. His death was a shock to the community and his fellow officers, who remembered him as a dedicated and kind individual. He is survived by his son. The case proceeded through the legal system, with Melissa Smith facing the charges brought against her in connection with her husband's death.
