Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Ray was shot and killed as he and other deputies attempted to arrest two brothers wanted for a murder that occurred the previous month.
The county sheriff and the deputies had surrounded the suspects and just as they began to approach the house, the suspects opened fire, striking Deputy Ray in the head, severely wounding him.
The other deputies were unable to rescue Deputy Ray until the following morning. He remained in serious condition until succumbing to the wound 19 days later.
Deputy Ray had served with the agency for 2 years.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo Federal Air Marshal Service March 14th, 2016
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-12C22834- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Ray gave the Monroe County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madisonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles E. Ray 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Monroe County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles E. Ray's cause is highlighted.
How Charles E. Ray Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles E. Ray is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles E. Ray was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Monroe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
