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Charles Michael Flachs
Incident
Immigration Inspector Charles Flachs was shot and killed in Blaine, Washington while coming to the aid of a United States Customs inspector at the border crossing station. He had been inspecting a bus and turned one of the occupants over to the Customs inspector after the man failed to show proper identification. While the Customs inspector was interviewing the man, the subject produced a handgun and opened fire. Inspector Flachs rushed back into the room and was fatally wounded. The man, 40, who was shot and wounded, shot himself in the head as he was being taken into custody. He died in a Seattle hospital three days later. The suspect was a notorious Canadian gunman, wanted in Toronto for murder.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Immigration Inspector Flachs served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Immigration Inspector Flachs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 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 1936, 1 officer at United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 2.
In 1936, 2 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 99th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service; August holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 20%.
May holds 7.6% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.6% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service has 11 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Frederick H. Bathey
Jan 29, 1897
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Alphonse G. Bernard
Jul 11, 1920
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James McCabe Mar 4, 1923
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Laurence E. Doten
Aug 24, 1930
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Lawrence C. Jones Aug 24, 1930
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Charles Michael Flachs
May 28, 1936
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Roy M. Porter
Dec 28, 1939
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Marion Jabez Jones
Nov 1, 1946
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Frank Mendoza Sep 20, 1968
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Tammy R. Aamodt
Mar 7, 1987
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Reynaldo G. De La Garza Jan 7, 1990
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service are honored on badge.nw.
