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Incident
Juvenile Officer Charles West was shot and killed by a juvenile inmate he was supervising. The juvenile had been arrested for shooting four other juveniles, auto theft, and possession of stolen property. During the initial shooting incident, the boy was attacked by the crowd and suffered an injury to his jaw that required follow-up medical treatment. Officer West transported the boy to Children's Mercy Hospital for treatment. As he was returning the boy to the detention center, they stopped at the boy's home. When the boy went inside, he retrieved a handgun that he used to shoot Officer West in the back of the head with. He then placed Officer West's body in the trunk of his car and drove away. The boy's family witnessed the incident and called authorities, who located the abandoned car a short time later. Officer West had served with the Jackson County Family Court for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his father, mother, seven brothers, and four 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.
Juvenile Officer West gave the Jackson County Family Court 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Juvenile Officer West.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Jackson County Family Court remembered here.
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 1989, 3 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1989, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1989, 108 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 31. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 31. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 31. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.8% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 14.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jackson County Family Court. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.1% 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 52% of all 33,917 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 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jackson County Family Court are honored on badge.nw.