Roll of Honor

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Detention Officer

Charles F. Hooks

Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County — Memphis, TN

Felonious

End of Watch August 29, 1917

Age 69

The Vigil Panel 33 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Detention Officer Charles Hooks was shot and killed while guarding prisoners at the Juvenile Detention Quarters at 578 South Lauderdale Street.

Officer Hooks was in the mess hall of the Detention Quarters, overseeing the evening supper when a 15-year-old prisoner drew a revolver and shot him. The suspect, along with five other prisoners, ages 12 to 14, were charged in connection with his murder. The killer was sentenced to one to five years in the Tennessee Penitentiary. The others were sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in the county workhouse.

Officer Hooks was survived by his wife and two sons.

Survivors

Officer Hooks was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TN-F4542F0C
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.
Detention Officer Hooks served with the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Officer Hooks.

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

Agency

Department Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County

Location Memphis, TN

Platform Identity jcmsc.shelby.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 29, 1917

Age 69

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Sentenced to 5 years

Detention Officer Charles F. Hooks 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%.

Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County

of 1 officers

100% 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 F. Hooks'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 F. Hooks Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 5 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles F. Hooks is highlighted in Aug.

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 F. Hooks was killed by handgun; revolver.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518