Charles Frederick Sova

Monroe County Sheriff's Office — Rochester, NY

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch September 8, 1931

Age 48

The Vigil Panel 62 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Special Deputy Charles Sova was shot and killed as he and a deputy sheriff attempted to arrest a burglary suspect at the intersection of Cromwell Drive and Landing Road.

The suspect produced a concealed handgun and shot Deputy Sova in the abdomen, fatally wounding him. He died from the wound the following day.

Monroe County officials, who said they had an open and shut case, were shocked when a jury acquitted the suspect of murder but convicted him of weapons charges.

Deputy Sova had previously served with the United States Navy and was survived by his wife and one child.

Survivors

Deputy Sova had previously served with the United States Navy and was survived by his wife and one child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-F62AE3AA
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.
Special Deputy Sova served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester 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

Department Monroe County Sheriff's Office

Location Rochester, NY

Platform Identity mcso.monroe.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 8, 1931

Age 48

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Acquitted

Military Service

Charles Frederick Sova served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Special Deputy Charles Frederick Sova 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Monroe County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

of 10 officers

40% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious