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Incident
Sheriff Charles Oglesby was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three men stealing a ride on a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train in Winamac, Indiana.
Sheriff Oglesby was requested to assist the engineer in removing three hobos from the train. The engineer had found them during a stop in Star City and ordered them off, but they refused. Unbeknownst to the sheriff, the three men were not hobos but actually a gang of safe-crackers who had recently burglarized the Marsh store in Burnettsville in White County.
As Sheriff Oglesby approached, one of the three suspects ran from the train up the railroad tracks north from Pearl Street in Winamac. The other two suspects stood their ground. Both men fired shots at Sheriff Oglesby, and the sheriff returned fire. The second suspect attempted to run from the scene and was hit below the left shoulder by one of Sheriff Oglesby's bullets as he climbed a fence. The third suspect fired again at the sheriff, this time hitting him in the chest; however, before he could escape, he was shot in the abdominal area by Sheriff Oglesby.
Sheriff Oglesby was taken to his home, where he died several hours later in the company of his family. A posse was quickly deputized and set out after the bandits. Two suspects were found wounded in a cornfield just north of Winamac and surrendered without incident. The third suspect was captured along the railroad tracks north of Winamac.
The suspect that was wounded by Sheriff Oglesby later died of his wounds. The other two suspects were sentenced to prison.
Sheriff Oglesby had served with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department for only 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Sheriff Oglesby served with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Winamac community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Oglesby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pulaski County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 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 1907, 2 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 41. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Charles was 41. 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 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 41. 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 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 5.5% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 15.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Pulaski County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 6.1% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Pulaski County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pulaski County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
