In the spring of 1902, the town of Smithfield, Virginia, lost its Chief of Police, Thadeus E. Davis, in a tragic and unforeseen incident. A 39-year-old white male, Chief Davis was in the process of escorting a man wanted for murder in Isle of Wight County to the local jail on May 14, 1902. During the escort, his firearm accidentally fell from his pocket.
The impact of the fall caused the weapon to discharge, and a single round struck Chief Davis in the hip.
He was quickly transported to St. Vincent's Hospital in Norfolk for medical attention. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, the wound proved to be fatal, and he succumbed to his injury two days later on May 16, 1902.
The death of Chief Davis was ruled an unfortunate accident, and as a result, no arrests were made in connection with the incident, and there were no suspects to be investigated. He was survived by his wife and four children.
