SMITH, Steven G - Vietnam - murdered
Source: Covington Friend Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1975
A much-decorated Vietnam War veteran was murdered Saturday evening about 6:30 p.m. as he sat in a crowded booth at the Rustic Bar in Attica, victim of a shotgun blast in the right neck at close range. Dead is Steven G. Smith, Rt. 1, West Lebanon.
Taken into custody almost immediately after the shooting was Hubert A. Ferrier, 25, 210 W. Bond St., Attica. He is currently lodged at the Montgomery County Jail at Crawfordsville under a preliminary charge, filed in Attica City Court, of first-degree murder.
According to the police report, Ferrier had been in the bar, then left and allegedly returned a short time later carrying a 12-guage shotgun. The shooting occurred in the front booth at the bar which was occupied at the time by the victim and four other men and a woman.
Immediately after the shooting, several men in the bar wrestled with the accused to subdue him until police arrived.
First to arrive at the scene was Attica patrolman Jerry Heeter. The accused was described as “very uncooperative” and gave no statement. Police Monday were still busy interrogating witnesses. At the time of the shooting the bar was reportedly packed with customers and immediately afterward there was a near traffic jam created by persons who rushed to the scene of the murder.
Because there is no maximum-security cell at the Fountain County Jail, Ferrier was taken to Montgomery County by Fountain County Sheriff Rusty Peevler.
Ambulance attendants called to the scene detected a shallow pulse and rushed Smith to Community Hospital in Williamsport. He had lost a vast amount of blood and was pronounced dead about a half hour later at the hospital.
Steven G. Smith was born at Williamsport on July 30, 1949, and was a Warren County resident all his life. His parents are Don and June Harris Smith, who survive.
Also surviving are his wife, the former Becky Brenner, whom he married Jan. 27, 1973, in West Lebanon; one son, Shawn Steven, at home; three sisters, Mrs. Pat Gentry, Tennessee; Mrs. Alice Livengood, Lafayette; Sue Smith, Kentucky; Also, two brothers, Joe Smith, Williamsport; Don Smith, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Smith graduated from Williamsport High School in 1967 and had been employed by the Warren County Highway Department the past two and a half years. During his tour of duty in Vietnam he was awarded the Navy Achievement Award with Combat V for gallantry, and received two Purple Hearts. He was a member of Attica Post 3318, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Friends may call at the Fisher Funeral Home in West Lebanon from 4-9 p.m. Tuesday. Services will be held there at 2 p.m. Wednesday with Rev. Joe Shryock officiating. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Williamsport with full military rites performed by the Attica VFW Post members - S
