Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Charles Eustes was shot and killed with his own weapon when he responded to a domestic disturbance on Seventh Avenue South. When he arrived at the scene, he heard a woman moaning inside the house. He attempted to enter the house to check on her well-being, but a male subject blocked his path. A struggle ensued, and the man obtained control of Officer Eustes' service weapon before shooting him. The 24-year-old man was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. On February 21st, 1969, the Florida Appeals Court reduced his conviction to second-degree murder and ordered that he be re-sentenced. He was re-sentenced, but still received a life sentence. He was in prison in 1980 and was to be released in 1982. No information about a release could be found. Officer Eustes had served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-C138569F- 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.
Officer Eustes gave the St. Petersburg Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Petersburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Eustes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Charles Lee Eustes 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At St. Petersburg Police Department, 12 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Lee Eustes's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Lee Eustes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Lee Eustes is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Lee Eustes was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from St. Petersburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
