Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Police Officer Charles Wetzel succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three days earlier when he was shot after encountering an armed subject shortly after midnight.
The subject had just been released from prison and had confronted a person singing on K Street, between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. The subject was upset the man was singing at midnight and threatened him with a handgun. Officer Wetzel was nearby and observed the confrontation. He approached the man and ordered him to put his gun down while displaying his badge.
The man yelled at Officer Wetzel and shot him in the abdomen before fleeing. Although the man was identified as a former convict it is not known if he was ever apprehended.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-4DA9D137- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Police Officer Wetzel served with the Sacramento Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Police Officer Charles H. Wetzel is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 0.9 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At Sacramento Police Department, 10 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles H. Wetzel's cause is highlighted.
How Charles H. Wetzel Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles H. Wetzel is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles H. Wetzel was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Sacramento Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
