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Charles F. Artz
Incident
Location: Kansas Weapon: Handgun; .45 caliber Offender: Died in prison
Special Agent Charles Artz was shot and killed after arresting four men for vagrancy near the Rock Island Railroad tracks in north Wichita, Kansas. As he escorted the men to turn them over to a city patrolman three other men assaulted him and shot him once in the head. Their motive was revenge. Agent Artz had arresting them for vagrancy a few days earlier.
The three men who attacked him had nothing to do with the four men he had just arrested.
Agent Artz's killer was apprehended in 1925, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. He died in prison on December 31, 1956.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Special Agent Artz served with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Artz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has lost 13 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 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 1920, 2 officers at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 3.
In 1920, 16 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 39. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 42.
Charles was 39. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Charles was 39. 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 was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 15.4% of these deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department; March holds the most, 23.1%. Sundays: 30.8%.
June holds 9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 13 deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% 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; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Andrew Creason Sep 19, 1903
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Claude H. McDonald Mar 26, 1911
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Hugo P. A. Alvine
Dec 9, 1915
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Charles F. Artz
Jun 27, 1920
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Will C. Reed
Jul 4, 1920
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William E. Waers Jan 11, 1922
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Alfred Allen Gifford
Jun 27, 1922
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Thomas P. Griffin Nov 15, 1923
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Ralph Robinson Mar 31, 1926
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Archibald D. Brandon
Apr 19, 1931
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Rube Tom Pollock
Mar 8, 1934
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Edwin C. Shane Apr 17, 1934
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John W. Whitted Apr 17, 1934
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
