Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Collis succumbed to a gunshot wound he received when he was shot by a man who had requested help from him on March 6, 1904. Patrolman Collis was on post when the subject approached him and asked him to accompany him to the Jones Boarding House, where a woman had some clothes that belonged to him. Patrolman Collis followed the suspect into the house. When the female occupant met the subject, he got involved in an argument with her. The suspect drew a handgun and shot the female twice. As Patrolman Collis attempted to disarm the subject, he was shot. He returned fire but missed the subject when he fled. The suspect was chased to police headquarters by Patrolman Collis' partner, where he was arrested. The next day, he was taken from the jail by an angry mob, shot, and then lynched. The female survived her gunshot wounds. Patrolman Collis was taken to the hospital where he died the next day. Patrolman Collis had served with the Springfield Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife and one child. He is buried in Saint Raphaels Cemetery in Springfield, Ohio.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-6B6F84BB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Collis gave the Springfield Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Collis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Charles B. Collis 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Springfield Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles B. Collis's cause is highlighted.
How Charles B. Collis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles B. Collis is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles B. Collis was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
