Sheriff: Constable “Awake and Alert,” Gunshot Wound Apparently Self-Inflicted

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said Sunday afternoon that Constable John Smith was “awake and alert” in intensive care at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler after suffering an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. In a news release, the sheriff said, “The investigation has been completed at the scene of the shooting. From all evidence gleaned from the investigation thus far, the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. We will not be releasing any further information regarding this investigation due to it being self-inflicted. Please keep Constable Smith and his family in your prayers as they deal with this tragic event. Constable John Smith is a longtime law enforcement officer who has served with distinction and dignity and who is loved and respected as such in Smith County.”

Constable Smith, who serves Smith County Justice Precinct 4, was found with a gunshot wound to the head in his driveway Saturday night. Sheriff Smith reports that on Saturday at 9:52 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a 911 call stating that Constable Smith had been shot and it was unknown what his condition was. The first arriving sheriff’s office patrol deputy determined that the constable was breathing but unconscious. He was transported by EMS ambulance to East Texas Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition. Constable Smith was taken to surgery a short time later and got out of surgery at approximately 2:00 Sunday morning, according to Sheriff Smith.

The Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit and detectives responded to ETMC as well as Constable Smith’s residence in the Starrville Community, where the sheriff says the shooting apparently occurred. By about 2:30 a.m., it was known that there was apparently one shot fired in the driveway of Constable Smith’s home and a handgun had been recovered at the scene, according to the sheriff. .