Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Wanless was shot and killed by an intoxicated man after responding to a disturbance call at a boarding house. As he entered the house the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding him. Officer Wanless managed to return fire seriously wounding the suspect.
The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-76DFAB9C- 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
136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Wanless served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Charles F. Wanless 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles F. Wanless's cause is highlighted.
How Charles F. Wanless Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles F. Wanless is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles F. Wanless was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
73 officers from Denver Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
