Charles Robert Elder
Incident
Correctional Officer Charles Elder was killed during an escape attempt. Between 7:15 am and 8:10 am, Officer Elder was assaulted and stabbed to death by one of four inmates while he was in the bakeshop at State Correctional Institute at Huntingdon. The inmates were attempting to escape through the bakeshop. The 22-year-old delinquent killer was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He had been in and out of criminal institutions since he was 10. He was denied parole in 1975.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Elder gave the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Elder.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has lost 18 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 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 1954, 1 officer at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 2.
In 1954, 5 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 56. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 52; the middle age was 40. Charles had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8.4 years.
Charles was 56. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Charles had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 56. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 56. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 7.7% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections; February holds the most, 23.1%. Mondays: 46.2%.
August holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 14.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.2% of all 18 deaths at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 23.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has 18 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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James Gastin Oct 31, 1844
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Michael Doran May 31, 1884
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James A. Bloomer Mar 25, 1892
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John Taylor Coax
Feb 11, 1924
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John August Pieper
Feb 11, 1924
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Edwin H. Lichtenberger Jul 17, 1944
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Charles Robert Elder
Aug 9, 1954
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Clifford Joseph Grogan, SR
Nov 12, 1965
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Steven Phillip Ary Sr.
Sep 16, 1973
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Walter Lee Peterson
Dec 10, 1973
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Edward L. Boyer Jun 5, 1977
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Felix Mokychic
Mar 20, 1979
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Francis William Wilt, Jr.
May 20, 1980
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David Hiram Bowser, Jr.
Nov 13, 2002
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David Michael Weaver
Sep 26, 2016
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Mark James Baserman
Feb 26, 2018
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Mark Anthony Gaspich
Oct 10, 2018
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Timothy Luke Prough
Nov 3, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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