Charles B. Sanders
Agency patch
Patrolman

Charles B. Sanders

Felonious
End of Watch March 17, 1934
Age 50
The Vigil Panel 67 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Charles Sanders was shot and killed by members of the Blue Sedan Gang during a robbery. Although wounded, Patrolman Sanders was able to return fire and killed one of the four suspects. The remaining three men were arrested and sentenced to 99 years in prison. In January of 1949 one of the suspects was paroled even though he had killed a fellow inmate while incarcerated. Another suspect was denied parole in March of 1949. The third suspect had his sentence commuted to life in 1964 making him eligible for parole.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-BC09FF02
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 Sanders served with the Nashville City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Sanders.

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

Agency

Location Nashville, TN
Platform Identity npd.davidson.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 17, 1934
Age 50
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender One shot and killed

Patrolman Charles B. Sanders 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Nashville City Police Department, 16 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.

Nashville City Police Department
16
of 22 officers
72.7% Felonious
TN — Statewide
498
of 769 officers
64.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles B. Sanders's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Charles B. Sanders Compares

Age at End of Watch
50
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

One shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles B. Sanders is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles B. Sanders was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518