Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Charles Williams was shot and killed while working a vice detail along Central Avenue. He and his partner were working undercover when they were flagged down by a citizen who told them a man was waving a gun at a nearby house. The officers knew this house to be a brothel. It was later discovered that the man was the landlord of the house and had entered to impose a vigilante clean-up of the house by evicting prostitutes. As they were driving there, the police car broke down and Policeman Williams decided to walk the rest of the way. Upon his arrival, he told the man to put his hands up. The suspect fired twice, striking Policeman Williams in the abdomen. A passing truck transported Policeman Williams to a nearby hospital where he died from his wounds. The suspect was later captured, but it is unknown what happened to him. The suspect claimed he did not know Policeman Williams was an officer. Policeman Williams is the first known African-American Officer to be killed in the line of duty in Los Angeles. He was survived by his wife. City officials have designated the downtown intersection of Central Avenue and Sixth Street as Officer Charles P. Williams Square.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-10F401D2- 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.
Policeman Williams gave the Los Angeles Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Charles P. Williams 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Los Angeles Police Department, 115 of 240 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles P. Williams's cause is highlighted.
How Charles P. Williams Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles P. Williams is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles P. Williams was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
