Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Small was shot and killed as he and another deputy attempted to disperse a group of men who were fighting on Congress Street, between Hastings Street and Rivard Street, in Detroit.
A riot was occurring near the hospital and the sheriff sent for reinforcements. Deputy Small was summoned from home and as he and a second deputy responded to the scene they encountered the group of men. When the other deputy ordered them to disperse the group attacked him, knocked him to the ground, and kicked him repeatedly. The group also attacked Deputy Small and shot him in the head with a pistol after he fell to the ground.
He died from his wounds the following morning.
Over a dozen men were arrested in connection with Deputy Small's murder. Three brothers were convicted of lesser crimes in December 1857 and then pardoned by the Michigan governor in December 1858.
Deputy Small had recently been appointed a deputy.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-880AA220- 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
169 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Small served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles Small 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 MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Wayne County Sheriff's Department, 7 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Small's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Small Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Small is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Small was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Wayne County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
