Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Jailer Charles Wentworth was shot and killed during an escape attempt at the Shelby County Jail at 501 Main Street in Shelbyville. An inmate's girlfriend had smuggled a handgun into the jail. As Deputy Wentworth escorted the inmate to use the phone, he was shot in the abdomen and killed. The inmate was captured, pleaded guilty to murder, and sentenced to two life terms in prison. the inmate's girlfriend was sentenced to 20 years for complicity to murder, complicity to escape, and theft charges. Deputy Wentworth had served with the Shelby County Detention Center for two weeks and previously served as a constable.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-66B6282C- 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 Jailer Wentworth served with the Shelby County Detention Center.
Thank you for your service to the Shelbyville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Jailer Wentworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Jailer Charles D. Wentworth 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Shelby County Detention Center, 2 of 2 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 D. Wentworth's cause is highlighted.
How Charles D. Wentworth Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 2 life terms
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles D. Wentworth is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles D. Wentworth was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Shelby County Detention Center are honored on badge.nw.
