Roll of Honor
Incident
On Saturday, September 21, 1878, Frank Polk, who lived in the Pisgah Ridge community in Navarro County about eight miles northwest of Wortham, Freestone County, was arrested by Wortham City Marshal Charles Powers for a misdemeanor. Polk was a noted desperado who was friends with John Wesley Hardin. Polk was released on bond and stayed in town until Monday, September 23, 1878. Shortly before his trial he rode out of town. Marshal Powers and Constable Wingfield rode after him and arrested him. He was brought back to town and paid his fine. Polk left town but returned around 6:00 p.m. and rode back and forth in front of the store of Mayor W. M. Seely, who was also a Freestone County deputy sheriff. Polk dismounted with his Winchester rifle outside the store. Marshal Powers and an unnamed assistant city marshal approached Polk and told him to surrender his weapon. Seely then came out onto the street armed with a Winchester rifle. Polk started backing up with the lawmen following him. Suddenly Polk fired on Marshal Powers. Powers returned fire as he fell. The assistant city marshal shot Polk two times and Seely fired seven shots, hitting Polk three times. Both Powers and Polk died instantly.
Nothing is known about Marshal Charles Powers despite efforts by former Sheriff Sonny Sessions and the Freestone County Historical Society. No place of burial has been located.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-0323885A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Powers served with the Wortham Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wortham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Charles Powers is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,787 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Wortham Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Powers's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Powers Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Powers is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Powers was killed by rifle; winchester.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wortham Police Department are honored on badge.nw.