Roll of Honor
Charles Fitzgerald
Incident
Postal Inspector Charles Fitzgerald was shot and killed in Clinton, Mississippi, by the city's deputy postmaster during an investigation. Inspector Fitzgerald had discovered a shortage of $476 during a review of the post office's accounts. The deputy postmaster asked him not to report the shortage and promised to pay restitution for the shortage. Inspector Fitzgerald refused not to report the shortage and was then accompanied by the man to the railroad station so he could return to Jackson. The deputy postmaster continued to plea with Inspector Fitzgerald not to report the embezzlement. Inspector Fitzgerald again refused not to report the incident and, as he boarded the train, the man shot him without warning. Inspector Fitzgerald was taken to the Jackson Sanitorium where he died three hours later. The man who shot him was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. On January 3rd, 1919, he escaped from the Parchmen Penitentiary but was recaptured 17 months later in Wichita, Kansas. He was pardoned by Governor Henry L. Whitfield in September 1925.
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- 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.
Postal Inspector Fitzgerald served with the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Postal Inspector Fitzgerald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Postal Inspector Charles Fitzgerald 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 VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Postal Inspection Service, 6 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Fitzgerald's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Fitzgerald Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Fitzgerald is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Fitzgerald was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from United States Postal Inspection Service are honored on badge.nw.
