Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bud Carpenter was shot and killed when he confronted three ex-convicts who had just robbed a store in Willow Creek, California. A shootout ensued in which Deputy Carpenter's partner was seriously wounded and Deputy Carpenter along with one suspect were killed. The other two suspects fled but one was apprehended several days later. The man was convicted and sentenced to prison. The third was captured five years later after he robbed a post office in New York City. He was returned to California and sentenced to life in prison on July 7th, 1933.
Survivors
Deputy Carpenter was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-A7ADE6D4- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Carpenter served with the Trinity County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Weaverville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Carpenter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles W. Carpenter 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Trinity County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 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 W. Carpenter's cause is highlighted.
How Charles W. Carpenter Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles W. Carpenter is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles W. Carpenter was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Trinity County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
