BECKLEY, W.Va. — Monday marked a solemn anniversary for the Beckley Police Department. It’s been 16 years since the death of Detective Cpl. Chuck Smith.
Smith, 29, was shot and killed during an undercover drug buy on Aug. 29, 2006, on South Fayette Street in Beckley.
At the time of his death, Smith was the first police officer killed in the line of duty in Beckley since Sgt. David Lilly was killed by notorious criminal Ron Williams in 1975.
Thomas Leftwich and Michael Martin are in prison in connection with Smith’s death.
The Beckley Fallen Officers Memorial was dedicated on Aug. 29, 2019. It’s located near the front entrance of the department headquarters on Neville Street. It honors the memories of Smith, Lilly and Patrolman Carl Buckland, who died in the line of duty in 1956.
Story by WJLS/MetroNews reporter Keith Thompson.