William Russell “Rusty” Smith

How they died

Deadly force

Hoover PD called by a neighbor regarding a domestic incident. They responded around 5:34 pm CST, but were unable to find any evidence of a domestic disturbance. Three vehicles were reported leaving the scene. Those vehicles were found after 6 p.m. near a Piggly Wiggly close by. There, police found three people who had been involved in the incident, including one woman who had a minor cut. Officers then went back to the original house on Valley Street to try to talk to the fourth person involved in the incident. Two officers found Smith, who was armed, and the officers shot the man.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that William Russell “Rusty” Smith, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources