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Charles Fitzgerald
Incident
Postal Inspector Charles Fitzgerald was shot and killed in Clinton, Mississippi, by the city's deputy postmaster during an investigation. Inspector Fitzgerald had discovered a shortage of $476 during a review of the post office's accounts. The deputy postmaster asked him not to report the shortage and promised to pay restitution for the shortage. Inspector Fitzgerald refused not to report the shortage and was then accompanied by the man to the railroad station so he could return to Jackson. The deputy postmaster continued to plea with Inspector Fitzgerald not to report the embezzlement. Inspector Fitzgerald again refused not to report the incident and, as he boarded the train, the man shot him without warning. Inspector Fitzgerald was taken to the Jackson Sanitorium where he died three hours later. The man who shot him was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. On January 3rd, 1919, he escaped from the Parchmen Penitentiary but was recaptured 17 months later in Wichita, Kansas. He was pardoned by Governor Henry L. Whitfield in September 1925.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Postal Inspector Fitzgerald served with the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Postal Inspector Fitzgerald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Postal Inspection Service has lost 14 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 1 officer at United States Postal Inspection Service was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 2.
In 1908, 6 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
September holds 16.7% of these deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service; March holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 50%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 9.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 83.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
United States Postal Inspection Service has 14 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Charles M. Davis
Jun 5, 1867
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Charles Fitzgerald Sep 23, 1908
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Elbert Perry Lamberth
Aug 16, 1917
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George Washington Daniel
Sep 1, 1919
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Levi C. Chance Feb 14, 1923
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Walter Richard Ton
Jan 10, 1938
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Finton T. McMahon
Aug 1, 1939
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Ernest M. Harkins
Jan 12, 1949
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Bruce Orrin Shaffer Aug 31, 1951
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John P. McAuliffe
Mar 14, 1960
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Benedetto M. Spizzirri
Mar 14, 1960
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Terrance M. Asbury
Feb 3, 1990
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Robert Francis Jones, Jr.
Jul 14, 2000
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Preston Boyd Parnell
Jul 26, 2012
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from United States Postal Inspection Service are honored on badge.nw.
