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Incident
Patrolman Charles Osborne was shot and killed at the intersection of Bell Street and Henry Street after taking a 13-year-old juvenile home who had been picked up for violating curfew. As Officer Osborne was checking the back seat of his patrol car, a second juvenile pulled out a concealed weapon from his crotch area and shot Patrolman Osborne in the head, behind his right ear. He lay in the street for 30 minutes because a witness didn't want to get involved. Another passerby noticed Patrolman Osborne and notified paramedics. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries three days later. The 15-year-old killer was arrested a short time later, convicted of murder, and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Osborne had served with the Columbus Police Department for over five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and stepdaughter.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Osborne gave the Columbus Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Osborne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Columbus Police Department has lost 26 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 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 1994, 1 officer at Columbus Police Department was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1896, with 3.
In 1994, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 31. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Columbus Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41; the middle age was 33. Charles had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 31. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 31. 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 had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 5.3% of these deaths at Columbus Police Department; October holds the most, 21.1%. Mondays: 10.5%.
August holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.1% of all 26 deaths at Columbus Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 63.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% 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
Columbus Police Department has 26 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Matthew W. Murphy
Dec 26, 1874
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Richard M. Adams Oct 14, 1896
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Charlie J. Roberts Oct 14, 1896
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William Jackson Oct 14, 1896
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N. G. Osborn Jan 31, 1901
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William S. Elliott Mar 27, 1901
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Marion Marchant Apr 17, 1911
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Nelson Harrison Gibson Sep 12, 1915
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Charles B. Harvey May 20, 1920
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James W. Stokes May 22, 1920
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William G. Pate Feb 5, 1921
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Ernest S. Evans Oct 25, 1935
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Harry C. Gibson
Apr 6, 1943
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Sumpter Burns Nov 6, 1946
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Jack E. Boone, Sr.
Feb 15, 1973
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Robert Gray Vining
Apr 21, 1976
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Billy Ray Watson, Sr.
Dec 28, 1976
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James Neal Bowers
Apr 4, 1979
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Thomas M. Bowen
Mar 11, 1984
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Clois Willard Lamb
Dec 12, 1989
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Shirley Denise Winston
Dec 31, 1990
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Sife Perdue
Jan 5, 1994
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Charles Edward Osborne, Jr.
Aug 8, 1994
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Robert Tyrone Kearse, Sr.
May 11, 2006
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Thomas Keith Slay
Jul 30, 2013
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Richard Arnold McMahan
Oct 13, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
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