Charles Fitzgerald

United States Postal Inspection Service — Arlington, VA

Felonious

End of Watch September 23, 1908

The Vigil Panel 22 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 13

Incident

Postal Inspector Charles Fitzgerald was shot and killed in Clinton, Mississippi, by the city's deputy postmaster during an investigation. Inspector Fitzgerald had discovered a shortage of $476 during a review of the post office's accounts. The deputy postmaster asked him not to report the shortage and promised to pay restitution for the shortage. Inspector Fitzgerald refused not to report the shortage and was then accompanied by the man to the railroad station so he could return to Jackson. The deputy postmaster continued to plea with Inspector Fitzgerald not to report the embezzlement. Inspector Fitzgerald again refused not to report the incident and, as he boarded the train, the man shot him without warning. Inspector Fitzgerald was taken to the Jackson Sanitorium where he died three hours later. The man who shot him was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. On January 3rd, 1919, he escaped from the Parchmen Penitentiary but was recaptured 17 months later in Wichita, Kansas. He was pardoned by Governor Henry L. Whitfield in September 1925.

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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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Postal Inspector Fitzgerald served with the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Postal Inspector Fitzgerald.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department United States Postal Inspection Service

Location Arlington, VA

Platform Identity uspis.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 23, 1908

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Pardoned in 1925

Postal Inspector Charles Fitzgerald 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At United States Postal Inspection Service, 6 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

United States Postal Inspection Service

of 14 officers

42.9% Felonious

VA — Statewide

395

of 654 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious