Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Wortham was killed when he was struck in the head with an axe while arresting a woman on Dexter Avenue in the Hollywood section of Memphis.
After he and another deputy arrested her, the woman's husband ran from the home and struck Deputy Wortham in the head. He then grabbed the other deputy's service revolver and opened fire, killing his wife and wounding the other deputy and a neighbor.
The subject charged with Deputy Wortham's murder but was acquitted.
Deputy Wortham was a widower.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-FFD615A7- 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 Wortham served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wortham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles C. Wortham 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Shelby County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles C. Wortham's cause is highlighted.
How Charles C. Wortham Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles C. Wortham is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles C. Wortham was killed by edged weapon; axe.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Shelby County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
