It's been more than 90 years since a Flint detective's death, and he's finally getting the recognition he deserves.
Sgt. Caleb Embree Smith died on Oct. 27, 1921, just four or five hours after eating lunch, an official told The Flint Journal.
Smith started to feel ill while arresting a man on an outstanding warrant in the early morning hours. Once they were back at headquarters, he started to feel worse and his partner took him home.
According to reports, Smith was shaking and trembling and complained about a funny feeling in his stomach.
He vomited before going into a coma and by the time a doctor arrived, he had died.
It was later discovered that he had died from arsenic poisoning.
It was unknown where he ate before his death and no one was ever charged.
Starting in 2002, the detective's granddaughter, Kathleen Smith, took a closer look at his story and did her own research. By 2006, the Flint Police Department got word or her efforts and joined in.
After much consideration, Smith will be honored on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Judiciary Square in Washington, D.C. on May 13.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund documents read that: "Detective Sergeant Smith was poisoned while on patrol. It was never determined how Detective Smith was poisoned with arsenic but his sudden illness and death several hours later led the department to conclude that had been murdered."
