Roll of Honor
Charles Frederick Sova
Incident
Special Deputy Charles Sova was shot and killed as he and a deputy sheriff attempted to arrest a burglary suspect at the intersection of Cromwell Drive and Landing Road.
The suspect produced a concealed handgun and shot Deputy Sova in the abdomen, fatally wounding him. He died from the wound the following day.
Monroe County officials, who said they had an open and shut case, were shocked when a jury acquitted the suspect of murder but convicted him of weapons charges.
Deputy Sova had previously served with the United States Navy and was survived by his wife and one child.
Survivors
Deputy Sova had previously served with the United States Navy and was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-F62AE3AA- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Deputy Sova served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles Frederick Sova served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Special Deputy Charles Frederick Sova 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Monroe County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Frederick Sova's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Frederick Sova Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Frederick Sova is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Frederick Sova was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Charles Frederick Sova served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles Frederick Sova’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Monroe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
