Roll of Honor
Incident
Around noon, John T. Groves was in Opperman's Saloon in Palestine, where for no apparent reason, Groves severely cut a Mr. McCullough. Groves then left the saloon. Policeman W. M. Micheaux notified Deputy Sheriff Charles Ledwith of the assault. Deputy Ledwith went to Groves' residence to make the arrest. Groves shot and killed the deputy on the front porch. The medical report stated the deputy was shot in the back. Groves was arrested and charged with murder of Ledwith and assault to murder of McCullough. On January 10, 1914, Groves was found not guilty of murder and the assault to murder charge was dismissed two weeks later.
Deputy Ledwith was survived by his mother, father and a brother. He was buried in the Jasper City Cemetery in Jasper County.
Survivors
Deputy Ledwith was survived by his mother, father and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-99083DEC- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ledwith served with the Anderson County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Palestine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ledwith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles Ledwith 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 TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Anderson County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Ledwith's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Ledwith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Ledwith is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Anderson County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
