Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Carruth was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to serve mental commitment papers to a man. Deputy Carruth's killer was committed to a mental institution, where he later died. In 1998, the newly built Tom Green County Sheriff's Office headquarters was named after Deputy Carruth. Deputy Carruth had served with the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter and is buried in Fairmount Cemetary in San Angelo, Texas.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Carruth gave the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Angelo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Carruth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Tom Green County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Charles is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 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 1934, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 32. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 32. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 32. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Tom Green County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Tom Green County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.