Kyle Smit
Service Record
San Bernardino County California Sheriff's Department
| Rank | Deputy |
| Dates of Service | Hired in April 2017.[1] |
| Salary | $171,696 (2021)[2] |
| Last Known Status | Active |
Commendations
2022 Medal of Valor
On June 12, 2020, Smit, Corporal Alan Pennington, and deputies Tyler Bengard and Lorraine Pinedo attempted to arrest a suspect for child molestation. The suspect fled, eventually barricading himself in his home. As officers arrived, the suspect shot at them. Officers returned fire and later learned that the suspect had taken his own life. Smit and others received the Sheriff's Medal of Valor.[3]
Incident Reports
2018 Assault of Ashanta Grier
On February 18, 2018, Grier was booked into custody and claimed that Smit and three other deputies beat him without provocation until he was unconscious.[1]
Response Timeline
In March 2019, Grier sued the county, Smit, and other deputies.[1]
On July 29, 2020, the county settled the lawsuit for $50,000.[1]
2020 Shooting of Joseph McLaughlin
On October 23, 2020, deputies were looking for McLaughlin, who had a warrant for his arrest. Smit was notified by a business's security staff that McLaughlin was on their premises. Smit and Deputy Adan Ochoa responded and located McLaughlin in the parking lot. McLaughlin moved away from the officers and ignored their orders to surrender. McLaughlin picked up a rock and motioned that he was going to throw it at Smit, who shielded himself and drew his handgun. McLaughlin continued to run, and Smit claimed that he was in fear that McLaughlin was going to injure him or Ochoa. Smit fired his handgun, striking McLaughlin several times.[4]
Smit rendered aid until McLaughlin was transported to the hospital.[4]
The incident was captured on the deputies' belt-worn audio recorders and by the business's security cameras.[4]
Response Timeline
The Sheriff's Department opened an investigation.[4]
At the end of their investigation, the Sheriff's Department submitted a case to the county District Attorney.[4]
On April 10, 2023, the county District Attorney found that "Smit had an honest and objectively reasonable belief McLaughlin posed an imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death" and the "use deadly force was justified".[4]
2021 Death of Bilal Winston
Response Timeline
On September 21, 2023, the county District Attorney determined that the use of deadly force was justified.[5]
LEO Ratings
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Joe Nelson, Video: San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy shoots parolee as he runs away, The Sun, 2020-11-30
- ↑ Kyle Smit, Deputy Sheriff, San Bernardino County, govSalaries
- ↑ Exceptional Service Award, San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, 2022-08-18
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Officer Involved Shooting (Non-Fatal), San Bernardino County District Attorney's Ofice, 2023-04-10
- ↑ Public Information Release Memorandum, San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, 2023-09-21
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