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Incident
Police Officer Charles McDonald suffered from over-exertion during a training exercise for a regional SWAT team at Woodland Mound Park in Hamilton County.
He was trying out for the Hamilton County Police Association's SWAT team when he began experiencing chest pains. During the training, he over-exerted himself, and a toxic chemical was released into his bloodstream that combined with a current medical condition. He was transported to a local hospital where he lapsed into a coma before succumbing to his condition the next day.
Officer McDonald had served with the Forest Park Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his 11-year-old son, fiancee, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp7zq3fs9bb9v13dbexk- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Police Officer McDonald gave the Forest Park Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Forest Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McDonald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Charles is the only officer of Forest Park Police Department remembered here.
Charles is one of 49 officers lost to illness in OH, 4.9% of the 993 remembered there.
Charles is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer in OH was lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 15.
In 2001, 2 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 46th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2001, 3 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 151st heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Charles was 35. Of the 49 lost to illness in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 56; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Charles was 35. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Charles was 35. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
June holds 2% of these deaths in OH; October holds the most, 22.4%. Saturdays: 18.4%.
June holds 4.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
June holds 6.1% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Forest Park Police Department.
Illness deaths account for 4.9% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Forest Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.