Roll of Honor
Incident
On Saturday, September 21, 1878, Frank Polk, who lived in the Pisgah Ridge community in Navarro County about eight miles northwest of Wortham, Freestone County, was arrested by Wortham City Marshal Charles Powers for a misdemeanor. Polk was a noted desperado who was friends with John Wesley Hardin. Polk was released on bond and stayed in town until Monday, September 23, 1878. Shortly before his trial he rode out of town. Marshal Powers and Constable Wingfield rode after him and arrested him. He was brought back to town and paid his fine. Polk left town but returned around 6:00 p.m. and rode back and forth in front of the store of Mayor W. M. Seely, who was also a Freestone County deputy sheriff. Polk dismounted with his Winchester rifle outside the store. Marshal Powers and an unnamed assistant city marshal approached Polk and told him to surrender his weapon. Seely then came out onto the street armed with a Winchester rifle. Polk started backing up with the lawmen following him. Suddenly Polk fired on Marshal Powers. Powers returned fire as he fell. The assistant city marshal shot Polk two times and Seely fired seven shots, hitting Polk three times. Both Powers and Polk died instantly.
Nothing is known about Marshal Charles Powers despite efforts by former Sheriff Sonny Sessions and the Freestone County Historical Society. No place of burial has been located.
Most of society lives in a world that doesn’t recognize what gives them the comfort they live in. Because of you, and people like you, society can live that way.
You put the badge on to make the community a better place. You put the badge on for justice. You put the badge on to save life. You put the badge on for the principles it represents. The badges didn’t make you a hero, the badge was worn by a hero. To your family, and the generations that followed, thank you for your service. Be proud of this man.
The sorrow we share as a law enforcement family is enormous, but our love of your life is even greater.
Sergeant Christian Yanchula Forensic Services Indian River County Sheriff's Office September 23rd, 2022
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-0323885A- 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
148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Powers served with the Wortham Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wortham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Charles Powers 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wortham Police Department, 2 of 2 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 Powers's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Powers Compares
Offender Outcome
killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Powers is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Powers was killed by rifle; winchester.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wortham Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
