Charles W. Estes
Agency patch
Game Warden

Charles W. Estes

Felonious
End of Watch February 26, 1911
Age 40
Tour of Duty 2 mo
The Vigil Panel 25 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Game Warden Estes was shot and killed while investigating a report of hunting on Sunday. This was in violation of state law prohibiting hunting game on Sundays. Game Warden Estes left his house to investigate the report and later in the day a neighbor heard two gunshots. When he went in the direction of the shots he found Game Warden Estes' horse. The Neighbor continued down the mountain and at about 2 p.m. discovered the body of Game Warden Estes who had been shot once in the abdomen. Game Warden Estes had been shot once with a .33 caliber rifle. His revolver, cartridge belt and money were missing. Game Warden Estes murder has never been solved.

Survivors

Game Warden Estes had been with the agency for two months and was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-0FFBF5E0
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Warden Estes served with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Thank you for your service to the Oklahoma City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Estes.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Oklahoma City, OK
Platform Identity odwcons.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 26, 1911
Tour of Duty 2 mo
Age 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle; .30 caliber
Offender Never identified

Game Warden Charles W. Estes is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
1
of 3 officers
33.3% Felonious
OK — Statewide
403
of 582 officers
69.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles W. Estes's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Charles W. Estes Compares

Age at End of Watch
40
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0.2
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Never identified

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles W. Estes is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles W. Estes was killed by rifle; .30 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are honored on badge.nw.