Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Osborne was shot and killed at the intersection of Bell Street and Henry Street after taking a 13-year-old juvenile home who had been picked up for violating curfew. As Officer Osborne was checking the back seat of his patrol car, a second juvenile pulled out a concealed weapon from his crotch area and shot Patrolman Osborne in the head, behind his right ear. He lay in the street for 30 minutes because a witness didn't want to get involved. Another passerby noticed Patrolman Osborne and notified paramedics. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries three days later. The 15-year-old killer was arrested a short time later, convicted of murder, and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Osborne had served with the Columbus Police Department for over five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-C590CBEA- 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.
Patrolman Osborne gave the Columbus Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Osborne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Charles Edward Osborne Jr. 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 GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Columbus Police Department, 19 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Edward Osborne Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Charles Edward Osborne Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Edward Osborne Jr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Edward Osborne Jr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Columbus Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
