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Incident
Detective Charles Hammond was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for passing a counterfeit bill. He asked the man to return to the police station with him, and as they did so, the man attempted to flee on foot. As Detective Hammond chased him, the suspect turned and shot him in the alley behind city hall. Although wounded, Detective Hammond continued to chase the suspect and apprehended him. He gained control of the suspect's handgun and shot and killed him. The suspect was a convicted felon who had escaped federal prison in Georgia. An accomplice of the killer was executed in 1926 for killing Officer James Skelly in 1924. Detective Hammond had been employed with the Muskegon Police Department for 13 years. He was survived by his wife and four children. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Muskegon, Michigan.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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.
Detective Hammond gave the Muskegon Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Muskegon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Hammond.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Muskegon Police Department remembered here.
Charles is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 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 1925, 10 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 48. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Charles had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 48. 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 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 48. 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 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.5% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Muskegon Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.6% 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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