Billy Kash Smith

How they died

No

Billy Kash Smith died after he fell onto the electrified third rail of the CTA's Green Line tracks while being chased by two officers who allegedly saw Smith and others dealing drugs. A lawsuit alleged that witnesses saw the officers push Smith, who was exhausted and bent over at the edge of the platform, onto the tracks. The allegations were disputed by police officials, who said the officers chased Smith up the stairs of the Cicero station. Smith reportedly got on a stopped train and told the conductor to start going, but the conductor refused. Smith then left the train, jumped from the platform to the tracks and ran, police said. According to police, Smith slipped and fell onto the electrified rail after running about 100 feet.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Billy Kash Smith, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources