Kelly Smith

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Service Record

Wood County Texas Precinct 4 Constable's Office

Main article: Wood County Texas Precinct 4 Constable's Office
Rank Constable
Salary $51,958 (2022)[1]
Last Known Status Active

Commendations

2022 Special Congressional Recognition

On September 12, 2022, Smith and his K9 partner received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Congressman Lance Gooden for their "hard work to protect and defend the citizens of Wood County".[2]

Incident Reports

2022 Arrest of Robert Evans

Body-worn Camera Footage

On July 25, 2022, Smith was assisting another agency that was attempting to serve a warrant on Evans, who refused to exit his house. Smith ordered his police dog to bite Evans, who was not threatening, injuring him.[3][4]

Smith's report stated that Evans had failed to comply with Smith's commands and that he ordered the dog to "heel".[4]

The incident was captured on body-worn cameras.[3]

Response Timeline

The FBI opened an investigation.

In November 2022, a federal grand jury found that Smith gave Evans no commands and had ordered the dog to "bite", and charged him with deprivation of rights under the color of the law.[4] Smith faces up to 10 years in federal prison.[5][6]

On February 8, 2023, a jury indicted Smith on a charge of falsification of a document.[4]

On June 26, 2023, Smith pleaded not guilty.[3]

On July 1, 2023, a jury in the federal case unanimously found Smith not guilty on all charges.[7] ‎

LEO Ratings

Training and Tactics rating: neutral
Protect & Serve rating: neutral
Individual Rights rating: bad
Accountability and Integrity rating: neutral
Off Duty rating: neutral
Ratings Definitions

References

  1. ↑ Kelly Smith J, Official, Wood County, govSalaries
  2. ↑ Stephanie Frazier, Wood County Pct. 2 Constable K9 team receives congressional honor, KLTV, 2022-09-14
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Zak Wellerman, Federal trial continues for Wood County constable accused of ordering K-9 to bite suspect, CBS 19, 2023-06-28
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Zak Wellerman, Wood County constable accused of using excessive force indicted on second federal charge, CBS 19, 2023-06-26
  5. ↑ Lidia Herrera, Wood County constable accused of using excessive force; he denies committing any crime, CBS 19, 2022-11-11
  6. ↑ Wood County Constable Federally Indicted for Use of Excessive Force, U.S. Attorney's Office, 2022-11-10
  7. ↑ Wood County constable found not guilty of directing K9 to bite suspect, KLTV, 2023-06-30

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