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Incident
Officer Charles Simms was shot and killed by a man he was attempting to serve a warrant on for vandalism on Church Street in Xenia. On Friday, July 10, 1925, Officer Simms went to a residence to arrest a suspect on a warrant for failing to pay a board bill. The man resisted arrest and ran from the house, turning and firing on the officer. All four rounds fired struck Officer Simms, with one round piercing his heart. The suspect escaped from the scene but was found at approximately 3:15 a.m. the next morning, hiding in the water of the Little Miami River. Members of the Ohio National Guard fired 40-50 rounds into the water from two machine guns that they carried with them, but the suspect still remained hidden in the water. Several hours later, the suspect came up in front of two members of the search team and was taken into custody. The 42-year-old suspect was charged and convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. He died in prison on September 15, 1925, from acute cardiac dilation. Officer Simms had served with the Xenia Police Department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife. He is buried in the Cherry Grove Cemetery, Green County, Ohio.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Simms gave the Xenia Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Xenia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Simms.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Xenia Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 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, 13 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
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 46. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 46. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 46. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 13.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Xenia Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Xenia Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Xenia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
