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Incident
Patrolman Charles Yates suffered a fatal heart attack following repeated struggles with a combative female suspect he had arrested for drunk driving. He had arrested the woman following a short vehicle pursuit and struggled with her at the scene of the arrest. Another struggle ensued after arriving at the police station to administer a breath test. Patrolman Yates collapsed immediately after the last struggle. The woman was not charged in connection with his death. Patrolman Yates was a United States Army World War II veteran and had served with the Poland Township Police Department for 6 years. He was survived by his wife and five children. In December 2017, Route 224 in Mahoning County was renamed the Poland Township Police Officer Charles Yates Memorial Highway.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 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.
Patrolman Yates gave the Poland Township Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Poland 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 K. Yates served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Poland Township Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Charles is one of 43 officers lost to cardiac events in OH, 4.3% of the 993 remembered there.
Charles is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 2 officers in OH were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1996, with 3.
In 1984, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1984, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Charles was 59. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 45.5 and 52.5; the middle age was 49. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Charles was 59. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Charles was 59. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
March holds 11.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 16.3%. Fridays: 14%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Poland Township Police Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.3% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Poland Township Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Military Service
Charles K. Yates served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles K. Yates’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 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Poland Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
