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Charles B. Stark
Trooper

Charles B. Stark

MI State Police — Lansing, MI
Felonious
United States flag Michigan flag
End of Watch December 31, 1971
Age 32
Tour of Duty 7 yrs 6 mo
The Vigil Panel 109 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 56

Incident

Trooper Charles Stark and Trooper Gary Rampy were shot and killed after stopping a drunk driver on Red Arrow Highway at approximately 2:50 a.m. While the officers were pulling the suspect over, the driver was able to reach into his backseat and obtain a handgun, which he put in his waistband. When the driver was unable to produce a license, Trooper Rampy walked him back to the patrol car. Using the weapon he had concealed in his pants, the suspect ordered Trooper Rampy to call Trooper Stark back to the cruiser, at which point the suspect shot and killed both officers. Nearby residents called authorities when they heard the shots, and responding officers began to chase the suspect. The man crashed the vehicle and attempted to run away but was shot and killed by the officers when he opened fire on them. Trooper Stark had served with the Michigan State Police for over seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two children, parents, three brothers, and five sisters.

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.
Trooper Stark gave the Michigan State Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Stark.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department MI State Police
Type State Police
Location Lansing, Ingham County, MI
Platform Identity msp.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 31, 1971
Tour of Duty 7 yrs 6 mo
Age 32
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Charles was 32. 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 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

MI State Police has 57 officers remembered here, Charles among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Trooper Charles B. Stark

MI State Police · End of Watch December 31, 1971

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E

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