Charles A. Holt

Springfield Police Department — Springfield, OH

Felonious

End of Watch June 30, 1932

Age 36

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Badge 16

The Vigil Panel 64 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Patrolman Holt was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to question a man they saw run from an alley and jump into a car. They were able to stop the vehicle on North Western Street, and as Patrolman Holt opened the car's door, he was struck on the head and knocked down. The suspect immediately opened fire, striking Patrolman Holt twice in the head as he lay on the ground. The suspects and Patrolman Holt's partner then traded shots, and the partner was wounded several times. Both patrolmen were taken to City Hospital, where Patrolman Holt succumbed to his wounds the following day. Investigation revealed that the men had been involved in a robbery two months earlier in which Patrolman James McCracken of the Muncie, Indiana, Police Department was shot and killed. Three suspects were arrested in Illinois within a few days. Two of them were sentenced to life in prison, but both were pardoned, one in 1945 and the other in 1959. Patrolman Holt had served with the Springfield Police Department for 13 years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter. He was buried in Ferncliff Cemetery.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-257993CF
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 Holt gave the Springfield Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Holt.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Springfield Police Department

Location Springfield, OH

Platform Identity spd.clark.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 30, 1932

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Age 36

Badge Number 16

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Both pardoned

Patrolman Charles A. Holt 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Springfield Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.

Springfield Police Department

of 9 officers

44.4% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious