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Incident
Deputy Charles Lacey was shot in the throat by a man he discovered sexually assaulting a woman in a car on February 18, 1981. The man had murdered two other people earlier in the day before abducting the woman. He had pulled over on the side of the road and was attempting to assault her when Deputy Lacey pulled up behind them. The man immediately drove away but was stopped by Deputy Lacey approximately one mile away. When Deputy Lacey contacted the driver, he was immediately shot. The wound paralyzed him from the neck down, and he died on November 5, 1982, from complications of the wound. The woman the suspect was assaulting was able to escape when the man stopped for gas later in the day. The subject was convicted of attempted capital murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Deputy Lacey was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. He had served with Travis County Sheriff's Office for four years and had previously served with the Austin Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Charles is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Lacey gave the Travis County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles B. Lacey served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Travis County Sheriff's Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 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 1982, 1 officer at Travis County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1982, 15 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7.4 years.
Charles had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 33.3% of these deaths at Travis County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 16.7%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Travis County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Travis County Sheriff's Department has 8 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Military Service
Charles B. Lacey served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles B. Lacey’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Travis County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
