Among his cases were the largest gold robbery in the history of the United States and the master theft of 13 paintings from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990, which included a remarkable Vermeer, "The Concert."
Smith, who had an unusual appearance in latter years – an eyepatch and rubber nose as a result of skin cancer – was featured in the 2005 documentary film Stolen.
Ulrich Boser's 2009 book, The Gardner Heist, gives an in-depth recounting of the many leads Smith followed in his investigation of the stolen paintings.
Born in the South Bronx, Smith attended local Catholic schools and then the Merchant Marine Academy in New York.
Smith was covered with oil and exposed to full-body ultraviolet light, which developed into skin cancer throughout his body.