Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain Stites was shot and killed when he interrupted three men burglarizing a store in the downtown area of Vicksburg. He had been alerted to the burglary by the sound of breaking glass. All three men were apprehended and convicted of Captain Stites' murder. One was sentenced to death and the other two were sentenced to life in prison. On July 3, 1917, one of the suspects, who was sentenced to life, told officials that he was the one who fired the fatal shot. The other suspect's death sentence was then commuted to life. On January 14, 1918, the suspect who confessed escaped from the state prison farm in Rankin County. He was captured on July 28, 1924, in Montesano, Washington. Captain Stites had served with the Vicksburg Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-C5B2AC69- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Captain Stites gave the Vicksburg Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Vicksburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Captain Stites.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Captain Charles H. Stites 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Vicksburg Police Department, 4 of 4 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. Charles H. Stites's cause is highlighted.
How Charles H. Stites Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles H. Stites is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles H. Stites was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Vicksburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
