Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Hays succumbed to gunshot wounds he received while investigating a suspect wanted for shooting his girlfriend on February 25, 1926.
Patrolman Hays and three other patrolmen received a call that a female had been shot. When they went to the suspect's home at West 9th Street and Leitchfield Road in Owensboro around 6:15 p.m., the man started shooting at the patrolmen. Despite returning fire, three patrolmen were wounded, and the suspect escaped.
One patrolman was released from the hospital that evening. Another patrolman was able to return to duty three months later. Patrolman Hays had returned home but repeatedly returned to the hospital for several operations before passing away from complications from his wounds on July 16, 1926.
The suspect was apprehended and initially charged with four charges of malicious shooting. When Patrolman Hays died, he was charged with murder. In 1927, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Patrolman Hays had served with the Owensboro Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, two brothers, a sister, and a grandchild.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-5B431490- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Hays gave the Owensboro Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Owensboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hays.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Charles A. Hays 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Owensboro Police Department, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles A. Hays's cause is highlighted.
How Charles A. Hays Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles A. Hays is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles A. Hays was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Owensboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
