Roll of Honor
Charles Lott Hays
Incident
Precinct 4 Constable Charles L. Hays, along with Deputy Constable Sid Keasler, went to a farm house to arrest Mich Davis, who was wanted on a warrant they held. The officers were told by Walter Davis that Mich Davis was not there, but was working in a cotton field. The officers galloped their horses to the field to prevent Walter Davis from warning his brother. Mich Davis saw the officers coming and attempted to get his gun from a nearby building. The officers beat him to the gun and made the arrest. After the officers left the farm house Walter Davis took his shotgun and went to the road.
When the officers and their prisoner came by, Walter Davis raised his shotgun and said turn that man loose. At the same time Walter Davis fired a load of buckshot into Constable Hays' side. Deputy Keasler fired at Davis striking him in the side with a slight wound. Constable Hays was instantly killed, and fell off his horse.
Walter Davis was arrested and placed in the Marshall jail. Later that evening a mob forced their way into the jail and lynched him by hanging him to a tree on the west side of the city. Mich Davis and Nathan Hilton the Davis' stepfather were also arrested.
Constable Hays was survived by his wife Jamie and 2 children. He is buried in the Hallsville Cemetery, Hallsville, Harrison County, Texas.
When the officers and their prisoner came by, Walter Davis raised his shotgun and said turn that man loose. At the same time Walter Davis fired a load of buckshot into Constable Hays' side. Deputy Keasler fired at Davis striking him in the side with a slight wound. Constable Hays was instantly killed, and fell off his horse.
Survivors
Constable Hays was survived by his wife Jamie and 2 children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Constable Hays served with the Harrison County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Marshall community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Hays.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Charles Lott Hays 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Lott Hays's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Lott Hays Compares
Offender Outcome
lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Lott Hays is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Lott Hays was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.