Stephen Richard Smith

Case record

People

• Stephen Richard Smith — police officer
• Sam Millsap — district attorney
• Farrell Tucker — patrolman (mutual friend; former patrol partner)
• Robert Heuck — Deputy Police Chief
• Frank Hoyack — Police Chief
• Stephen Smith’s wife — wife (called Farrell Tucker for help)

Other individuals named

• Terrnell Folsom — killed in a December 1982 slaying while breaking into a parked car (alleged without sufficient evidence for an indictment)

Timeline

• August 7, 1985 — Stephen Smith assaulted a 27-year-old shoplifting suspect without provocation, beating him to the ground, and afterward brawled with bystanders who sought to intervene and help the victim.
• March 1986 — Stephen Smith was indicted on charges of brutality stemming from the August 7, 1985 arrest.
• December 1982 — Terrnell Folsom was killed in a slaying while breaking into a parked car; authorities alleged Stephen Smith was a suspect but there was insufficient evidence for an indictment.
• August 17, 1986 — Stephen Smith quarreled bitterly with his wife; she called Patrolman Farrell Tucker for help. Tucker visited Smith’s apartment and was told by Mrs. Smith about murder schemes in progress. That night Tucker warned Smith’s alleged targets of their potential danger and later met with Smith wearing a concealed microphone and hidden pistol. Stephen Smith drew a .45 and threatened Tucker’s life; Tucker reached his gun and five shots fired at point-blank range eliminated Smith as any kind of threat.
• August 18, 1986 — Stephen Smith was already “skating on thin ice” as a guardian of law and order by the date of his death.
• after Stephen Smith’s death (date not stated) — A search of Stephen Smith’s home revealed an arsenal of eighteen pistols, five shotguns, six rifles, and at least 100,000 rounds of ammunition.

Background

Stephen Richard Smith was a policeman turned homicidal vigilante in San Antonio, Texas, but was not exposed until his death, at the hands of a one-time friend and former patrol partner.

By the date of his death, Stephen Smith was already facing allegations and indictment related to brutality. In March 1986, he had been indicted on charges of brutality stemming from the arrest of a shoplifting suspect on August 7, 1985.

Stephen Smith had an alleged prior history of encounter with excessive force. After his indictment, he had been suspended, and by August 1986 he was described as a peace officer in name only.

Furious at his superiors for their “lack of support,” Smith allegedly planned to assassinate Bexar County’s district attorney, Sam Millsap, along with various high ranking members of the police department.

Authorities later suspected that Stephen Smith was probably responsible for a 1983 sniper attack on the home of Deputy Police Chief Robert Heuck, and the 1985 firebombing of Police Chief Frank Hoyack’s residence.

Authorities were continuing investigations in an attempt to trace the other victims mentioned by Smith’s wife.

The offence

Alleged brutality and violent conduct

Stephen Smith assaulted a 27-year-old shoplifting suspect without provocation, beating him to the ground, and afterwards brawled with bystanders who sought to intervene and help his victim.

Smith’s indictment involved charges of brutality linked to the August 7, 1985 arrest incident.

Alleged murder schemes and planned assassinations

Stephen Smith was described as having “murder schemes in progress.” According to information Tucker received from Smith’s wife, Smith beat and murdered several persons he suspected of criminal activity while off duty.

Stephen Smith’s alleged targets included Bexar County’s district attorney, Sam Millsap, and various high ranking members of the police department.

Investigation

Authorities suspected Stephen Smith in relation to:

• a December 1982 slaying of Terrnell Folsom while Terrnell Folsom was breaking into a parked car (there was insufficient evidence for an indictment)
• a 1983 sniper attack on the home of Deputy Police Chief Robert Heuck
• a 1985 firebombing of Police Chief Frank Hoyack’s residence

In retrospect, Stephen Smith was also suspected as the author of recent anonymous letters, mailed to newspapers and public officials, accusing department leaders of child molestation and other crimes.

After Stephen Smith’s death, a search of his home revealed an arsenal of:

• eighteen pistols
• five shotguns
• six rifles
• at least 100,000 rounds of ammunition

Investigations continued to trace the other victims mentioned by Smith’s wife.

Arrest

No arrest is described in the provided text.

Trial

No trial is described in the provided text.

Sentencing

No sentencing is described in the provided text.

Appeals

No appeals are described in the provided text.

Outcome

Stephen Richard Smith was killed by fellow officer, on August 17, 1986.

Events leading to the killing

Stephen Smith quarreled bitterly with his wife. His wife called on a mutual friend, Patrolman Farrell Tucker, for help. Tucker visited Smith’s apartment.

Tucker was informed by Stephen Smith’s wife of murder schemes in progress. Tucker was also told that Mrs. Smith had seen her husband, while off duty, beat and murder several persons he suspected of criminal activity.

On August 18, Tucker warned Smith’s alleged targets of their potential danger.

That night, Tucker wore a concealed microphone and a hidden pistol. Tucker met with Smith to hear his former partner’s story. Smith did not deny the allegations, and he drew a .45 and threatened Tucker’s life. Smith’s momentary hesitation granted Tucker time to reach his gun, and five shots fired at point-blank range eliminated Smith as any kind of threat.

Other details

• Stephen Smith’s indictment in March 1986 related to brutality stemming from an August 7, 1985 arrest.
• After his indictment, he was suspended, but by August 1986 he was described as a peace officer in name only.
• Stephen Smith was described as allegedly planning to assassinate Sam Millsap and various high ranking members of the police department.