Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charley Wilcox died from Bright's Disease he received from gunshot wounds sustained 24 years earlier while attempting to arrest two suspects for mail fraud near Denver.
Deputy Wilcox waited at the post office for the suspect to collect his mail, proving he was the criminal behind the mail fraud. Once the mail was collected, Deputy Wilcox placed the suspect under arrest. He retrieved the pistol from the suspect and was under the impression that the suspect was now unarmed. Once they went outside, the suspect sprinted away and pulled another weapon from his boot. As Deputy Wilcox gave chase, he was surprised when the suspect fired at him. After five shots, he thought the pistol was empty, but the suspect fired a sixth shot into Deputy Wilcox's thigh. Deputy Wilcox still fought with the suspect and yelled for assistance when another suspect appeared and drew his gun. He did not want to shoot the fatal shot and gave the pistol to the first suspect. However, Deputy Wilcox struggled, and the first suspect could not shoot him, so the second suspect shot Deputy Wilcox in the back. Both suspects fled.
The suspects were captured and brought to Arapahoe County jail. Because Deputy Wilcox survived his wounds, the suspects were sentenced to 3 1/2 years.
Deputy Wilcox continued to serve for another 22 years before retiring due to his injuries. When he was shot in the back, the bullet went through his kidney and abdomen. Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis caused by toxins or infections.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CO-BD8E715A- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Wilcox gave the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the Centennial community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Wilcox 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 Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles H. Wilcox's cause is highlighted.
How Charles H. Wilcox Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 3 1/2 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles H. Wilcox is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles H. Wilcox was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
