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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charley Wilcox died from Bright's Disease he received from gunshot wounds sustained 24 years earlier while attempting to arrest two suspects for mail fraud near Denver.
Deputy Wilcox waited at the post office for the suspect to collect his mail, proving he was the criminal behind the mail fraud. Once the mail was collected, Deputy Wilcox placed the suspect under arrest. He retrieved the pistol from the suspect and was under the impression that the suspect was now unarmed. Once they went outside, the suspect sprinted away and pulled another weapon from his boot. As Deputy Wilcox gave chase, he was surprised when the suspect fired at him. After five shots, he thought the pistol was empty, but the suspect fired a sixth shot into Deputy Wilcox's thigh. Deputy Wilcox still fought with the suspect and yelled for assistance when another suspect appeared and drew his gun. He did not want to shoot the fatal shot and gave the pistol to the first suspect. However, Deputy Wilcox struggled, and the first suspect could not shoot him, so the second suspect shot Deputy Wilcox in the back. Both suspects fled.
The suspects were captured and brought to Arapahoe County jail. Because Deputy Wilcox survived his wounds, the suspects were sentenced to 3 1/2 years.
Deputy Wilcox continued to serve for another 22 years before retiring due to his injuries. When he was shot in the back, the bullet went through his kidney and abdomen. Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis caused by toxins or infections.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Wilcox gave the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the Centennial community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1899, 4 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1899, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1899, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 51. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 51. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.3% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Tuesdays: 13.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 1.3% 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; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
