Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Scott was shot and killed with his own weapon after being attacked in Betts, Florida. He was standing on a train depot platform near the present-day Highway 231 overpass when a man appeared and walked past him several times. At one point the man stopped and began a verbal argument with Deputy Scott. The suspect then grabbed Deputy Scott's revolver from its holster, struck him in the face with it, and then shot him in the abdomen. Deputy Scott succumbed to his wounds several minutes later. The suspect was apprehended and charged with murder. He was sentenced to life in prison but was pardoned by the Governor in 1921. Three years prior, Deputy Scott had served as interim Bay County sheriff and county judge. Deputy Scott was Bay County's first officer killed in the line of duty.
Survivors
He was survived by four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-A92886F2- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Scott gave the Bay County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Panama City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Scott.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles E. Scott 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bay County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles E. Scott's cause is highlighted.
How Charles E. Scott Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned by the governor in 1921
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles E. Scott is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles E. Scott was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Bay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.


