Charles Small

Wayne County Sheriff's Dept. — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch July 6, 1857

Age 26

The Vigil Panel 2 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 13

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.

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-880AA220
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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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

Department Wayne County Sheriff's Dept.

Location Detroit, MI

Platform Identity wcso.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 6, 1857

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Arrested

Deputy Sheriff Charles Small 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Wayne County Sheriff's Dept., 7 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Wayne County Sheriff's Dept.

of 14 officers

50% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious