Incident
Patrolman Charles Harrison was killed in a motorcycle crash on I-240 approximately one half-mile east of the Airways exit. Patrolman Harrison was in stopped traffic when he observed a patrol car and a motorcycle officer pulled to the side of the road on a traffic stop. The officers had an intoxicated man stopped. As Patrolman Harrison made his way through the traffic the vehicle in front of him jammed on its breaks, causing Patrolman Harrison to strike it. When he hit the car Patrolman Harrison and his motorcycle were thrown into the air. Patrolman Harrison fell to the ground and his motorcycle landed on top of him. A passing doctor stopped to help Patrolman Harrison. He was transported to Baptist Hospital where he died from his injuries. Patrolman Harrison had served with the Memphis Police for almost 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, three step-daughters, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-8DA5E879- 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.
Patrolman Harrison gave the Memphis Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Harrison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Charles L. Harrison is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TN, 191 of 769 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 24.8% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Memphis Police Department, 25 of 94 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 26.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles L. Harrison's cause is highlighted.
How Charles L. Harrison Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Charles L. Harrison is highlighted in May.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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