Charles E. Hefner

Lima Police Department — Lima, OH

Felonious

End of Watch February 27, 1951

Age 36

Tour of Duty 9 yrs

The Vigil Panel 87 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Detective Charles Hefner was shot and killed when he and another detective responded to a domestic disturbance in which the male subject was armed with a revolver. When the detectives confronted the man, he attempted to shoot the other detective, and a struggle ensued. The man and the officers fell into the kitchen, and the suspect's revolver discharged. The round struck Detective Hefner in the throat. The other detective continued to struggle with the suspect, and the weapon was fired again. The second round struck the suspect and instantly killed him. Detective Hefner was transported to Lima St. Rita's Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries 27 days later. Detective Hefner had served with the Lima Police Department for 9 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, parents, and brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-BC456BDC
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.
Detective Hefner gave the Lima Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lima community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Hefner.

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

Agency

Department Lima Police Department

Location Lima, OH

Platform Identity lpd.allen.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 27, 1951

Tour of Duty 9 yrs

Age 36

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Shot and killed

Detective Charles E. Hefner 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Lima Police Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Lima Police Department

of 5 officers

100% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious