Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Charlie Houser was shot and killed as he took position outside the farmhouse of two suspects. Officer Houser served with the Springfield Police Department for two years. He was survived by his common-law wife and brother. He is buried in Forest Park Cemetery in Joplin, Missouri (the grave is unmarked). Two brothers considered local petty burglars killed a total of seven Law Enforcement Officers. After they killed Town Marshal Mark Noe on June 2, 1929, a massive manhunt began for the suspects. The two suspects were located at the family farmhouse on January 2, 1932. They had come to town to visit their mother for the Christmas holiday. A raiding party of eleven officers was formed to arrest the two brothers. As the officers surrounded the farmhouse gunfire erupted and in the end six officers lay dead. The suspects escaped, and fled to Texas. They were located there by Houston Police and as police moved in the two suspects committed suicide.
Survivors
He was survived by his common-law wife and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-6D8A09CC- 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.
Police Officer Houser gave the Springfield Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Houser.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Charles Lee Houser 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Springfield Police Department, 7 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 87.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Lee Houser's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Lee Houser Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Lee Houser is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Lee Houser was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
