Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Warden Charlie Niles and Game Warden Lyman Hill were shot and killed while attempting to arrest two poachers on the Machias River. Deputy Warden Niles and Warden Hill had been tracking the poachers, who had been using dogs to run deer, for about ten days. When they finally approached the men, an argument broke out. As Deputy Warden Niles took off his coat in order to take hold of the poachers' dog, one of the poachers pulled out a double-barrel shotgun and opened fire. Deputy Warden Niles and Warden Hill were both killed instantly. The poachers escaped after the incident, but a posse was formed to find and arrest them. Their killer was later apprehended in California, returned to Maine, and charged with two counts of murder. He was sentenced to life but released in 1906. Deputy Warden Niles had served with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife - Warden Service for 10 days.
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BO-US-ME-CFE664D4- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Warden Niles served with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Thank you for your service to the Augusta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Warden Charles W. Niles 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 ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 12 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 6 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles W. Niles's cause is highlighted.
How Charles W. Niles Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1906
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles W. Niles is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles W. Niles was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife are honored on badge.nw.
