The city of Lawton is in mourning following the passing of Police Chief James T. Smith, who died yesterday, at the age of 66. As reported by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Lawton-area legislators, including Reps. Trey Caldwell, Toni Hasenbeck, Daniel Pae, Rande Worthen, and Sens. Dusty Deevers and Spencer Kern have issued a joint statement commemorating the chief's decades-long contribution to public service and law enforcement.
A respected figure in the community, Chief Smith's commitment to Lawton's safety and well-being was recognized with the Large Agency Chief of the Year award by the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police in 2025. Mourned by the lawmakers, the statement held a sentiment, "Chief Smith embodied what it means to be a public servant." They further stated, "Our community is stronger and safer because of Chief Smith’s vision and leadership." The statement, which is attributed to a leader who led with integrity and compassion, also offered condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
During his storied career, Smith dedicated over 35 years to law enforcement, being named as Chief of Police for the Lawton Police Department in 2012. Apart from heading the department, he was honored with the William "Bill" Tilghman Public Service Award from the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2024, reflecting the esteem he held among his colleagues and within the broader Oklahoma law enforcement community, according to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
In addition to his law enforcement career, retiring after service in the Kentucky Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves, Smith served 30 years in the military as a Colonel. The lawmakers have urged the community to remember Smith’s enduring legacy and to hold his family and peers in their thoughts during this time of loss. Endeared by his unshakable dedication, the community of Lawton joins the legislators in their call to honor the late chief's lifetime of service to both the city and the nation.
