Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Charlie Howard was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance at a local restaurant at 3:00 a.m.
He and two other officers entered the restaurant and Policeman Howard sat down across from one of the persons involved, who he had told to go home earlier because he was drunk. As he began speaking to him, the subject fired a pistol underneath the table and struck Policeman Howard in the left leg, severing a large artery. One of the officers immediately struck the suspect with his night stick and took him into custody. Policeman Howard bled to death within a few minutes.
The 43-year-old shooter and his 28-year-old son-in-law, sitting at the table with him, were charged with murder.
Policeman Howard had recently escaped death when a bullet struck his badge and glanced off during an arrest.
Policeman Howard was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Corbin Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young son, his parents and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-8B77F7E2- 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 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.
Policeman Howard gave the Corbin Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Corbin community. Thank you 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
Charlie W. Howard served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman Charlie W. Howard 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 Corbin Police Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charlie W. Howard's cause is highlighted.
How Charlie W. Howard Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charlie W. Howard is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charlie W. Howard was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Corbin Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
