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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Wortham was killed when he was struck in the head with an axe while arresting a woman on Dexter Avenue in the Hollywood section of Memphis.
After he and another deputy arrested her, the woman's husband ran from the home and struck Deputy Wortham in the head. He then grabbed the other deputy's service revolver and opened fire, killing his wife and wounding the other deputy and a neighbor.
The subject charged with Deputy Wortham's murder but was acquitted.
Deputy Wortham was a widower.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wortham served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wortham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Shelby County Sheriff's Office has lost 21 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 1 officer at Shelby County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1904, with 2.
In 1925, 10 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 63. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Shelby County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 31.8 and 50.5; the middle age was 42.5.
Charles was 63. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Charles was 63. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Charles was 63. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 15.4% of these deaths at Shelby County Sheriff's Office; July holds the most, 30.8%. Wednesdays: 23.1%.
October holds 6.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.9% of all 21 deaths at Shelby County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; axe, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; axe, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; axe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; axe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Shelby County Sheriff's Office has 21 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Houston Mitchell Jul 11, 1904
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Thomas J. McDermott Jul 12, 1904
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W. H. Lucy
Feb 25, 1910
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James C. Nelson Oct 29, 1917
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George Taylor Reeves
Nov 30, 1920
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Fielding F. Applebury
Dec 17, 1920
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Charles C. Wortham
Oct 7, 1925
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Edward William Stelling
Jul 5, 1945
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Olney Benton Crawford
Mar 24, 1946
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Deadrick A. Taylor
Apr 19, 1996
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Sherry Hopper Goodman
Jul 26, 1996
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Rupert Holliday Peete, Jr.
Mar 8, 2000
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George Monroe Selby
Dec 4, 2002
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Timothy Howard Dunn
Oct 29, 2004
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Ronald L. Ray
Dec 17, 2013
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Jeremy Devaughn Smith
Apr 21, 2020
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Anthony Terrance Jackson, Sr.
Dec 25, 2020
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Willie Lois Dortch
Apr 9, 2021
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Ray William McCrary, Jr.
Jul 20, 2021
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Lakiesha Lashay Tucker
Aug 25, 2021
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Bridgette Lachelle Hunter
Feb 17, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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