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Incident
Police Officer Charlie Houser was shot and killed as he took position outside the farmhouse of two suspects. Officer Houser served with the Springfield Police Department for two years. He was survived by his common-law wife and brother. He is buried in Forest Park Cemetery in Joplin, Missouri (the grave is unmarked). Two brothers considered local petty burglars killed a total of seven Law Enforcement Officers. After they killed Town Marshal Mark Noe on June 2, 1929, a massive manhunt began for the suspects. The two suspects were located at the family farmhouse on January 2, 1932. They had come to town to visit their mother for the Christmas holiday. A raiding party of eleven officers was formed to arrest the two brothers. As the officers surrounded the farmhouse gunfire erupted and in the end six officers lay dead. The suspects escaped, and fled to Texas. They were located there by Houston Police and as police moved in the two suspects committed suicide.
Survivors
He was survived by his common-law wife and brother.
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.
Police Officer Houser gave the Springfield Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Houser.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Springfield Police Department has lost 8 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 15,743 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 3 officers at Springfield Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1932, 9 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 28. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Springfield Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37.5 and 48; the middle age was 44. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 28. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 28. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 28. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 57.1% of these deaths at Springfield Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 57.1%.
January holds 7.8% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 16.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 87.5% of all 8 deaths at Springfield Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 57.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Springfield Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
