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Incident
Patrolman Charles Hensley was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary in progress. He was shot twice when he discovered two men breaking into a building in an alley in the block bounded by Felix Street, Francis Street, 2nd Street, and 3rd Street. He identified the suspect who shot him just before he died at a hospital hours later. The suspect was arrested later that same day. One week later the suspect, 33, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on May 30, 1922. Patrolman Hensley had served with the St. Joseph Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, six brothers, and one sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Hensley gave the St. Joseph Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the St. Joseph community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hensley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Joseph Police Department has lost 13 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 1 officer at St. Joseph Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 2.
In 1919, 15 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 47. Of the 7 killed feloniously at St. Joseph Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 45.5; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Charles was 47. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Charles had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 14.3% of these deaths at St. Joseph Police Department; October holds the most, 42.9%. Wednesdays: 28.6%.
May holds 7.2% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 53.8% of all 13 deaths at St. Joseph Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 71.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
St. Joseph Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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James H. Killion Jun 14, 1917
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Charles Hensley May 14, 1919
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Albert Marsh Hall
Oct 26, 1921
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Thomas A. Johnson
Oct 27, 1921
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John H. House
Jul 28, 1922
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John F. Less
Oct 22, 1923
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Walter A. Wood
Apr 4, 1926
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Sherman Brooks Winder
Sep 13, 1940
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Alva N. Mead
Mar 18, 1944
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Aloysius L. Wisniewski
Sep 16, 1961
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John William Duty
Sep 15, 1991
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Bradley Thomas Arn
Nov 10, 1998
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Dan D. De Kraai
Sep 15, 2010
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from St. Joseph Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
