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Incident
City Marshal Charles Wilson was shot and killed while patrolling the downtown area. Marshal Wilson and his brother, the deputy marshal, heard gun shots near a hotel and went to investigate. When the arrived at the scene they observed a man holding a kerosene lamp taken from a street light. Marshal Wilson grabbed the man's horse by the bridal. The suspect immediately shot Marshal Wilson in the head, killing him instantly. The suspect fled but was later apprehended by a group of citizens. The suspect was sentenced to death after two trials but died in prison only a few weeks before he was to be hanged. Marshal Wilson had been with the Oceanside Police Department for over 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his 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
137 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Wilson gave the Oceanside Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oceanside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oceanside Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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 1889, 3 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1889, 46 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1889, 48 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 28. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Charles had served 10 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 10 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 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Oceanside Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Oceanside Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Oceanside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
