Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Charles Sanders was shot and killed after responding to a call that Deputy Sheriff David Hefner and his partner from the Lane County Sheriff's Department had been wounded while investigating a domestic violence call at 387 Park Avenue in Eugene. When Trooper Sanders arrived, he and other officers engaged the suspect in a two-hour gun battle. One year earlier, Deputy Hefner had responded to a complaint at the same address and had taken a weapon from the same suspect who had at that time threatened to kill Deputy Hefner. When Deputy Hefner responded on February 22, 1957 he was shot first, as he approached the house; he was struck in the neck with a 32-20 Winchester rifle and was paralyzed. He would die of his wound four months and 21 days after being wounded. Trooper Sanders was shot in the chest with the same 32-20 rifle. The fatal bullet was not recovered. The suspect attempted to commit suicide after being forced out of his residence but was captured instead. The suspect was indicted for first-degree murder in connection with Trooper Sanders' death but was convicted of second-degree murder on April 25, 1957. He entered a guilty plea thereafter to assault with a deadly weapon in the shooting of Deputy Hefner. He was sentenced to life for Trooper Sander's murder and 25 years for the assault on Deputy Hefner. He was paroled after nine years. Trooper Sanders was a United States World War II veteran and had served with the Oregon State Police for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-316EF106- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Sanders gave the Oregon State Police 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oregon, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles Curry Sanders served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Trooper Charles Curry Sanders 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Oregon State Police, 16 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Curry Sanders's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Curry Sanders Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled after 9 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Curry Sanders is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Curry Sanders was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Oregon State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
