Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Layton, Deputy Sheriff Jim Beckwith, and Deputy Sheriff Joaquin De La Torre were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for murdering two other people. They were members of a posse organized by the sheriff that had gone to the man's shack along the Salinas River south of Rancho El Tucho (Rancho Las Salinas). A woman came to the back door and told Deputy De La Torre that the suspect was not there. The man suddenly emerged from inside and fatally shot Deputy De La Torre before shooting Deputy Layton and Deputy Beckwith. The man fled on Deputy Beckwith's horse but was later captured by a mob and lynched. Deputy Layton succumbed to his wounds nine days later. Deputy Layton was a military veteran.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CA-9ECCCA4A- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Layton served with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Salinas community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles Layton served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Charles Layton 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 32,586 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 Monterey County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 77.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Layton's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Layton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Layton is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Layton was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Charles Layton served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles Layton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Monterey County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
