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Charles F. Hooks
Incident
Detention Officer Charles Hooks was shot and killed while guarding prisoners at the Juvenile Detention Quarters at 578 South Lauderdale Street.
Officer Hooks was in the mess hall of the Detention Quarters, overseeing the evening supper when a 15-year-old prisoner drew a revolver and shot him. The suspect, along with five other prisoners, ages 12 to 14, were charged in connection with his murder. The killer was sentenced to one to five years in the Tennessee Penitentiary. The others were sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in the county workhouse.
Officer Hooks was survived by his wife and two sons.
Survivors
Officer Hooks was survived by his wife and two sons.
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.
Detention Officer Hooks served with the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Officer Hooks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County remembered here.
Charles is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 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 1917, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 69. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Charles was 69. 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 69. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% 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; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
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