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Incident
Deputy Curtiss and Deputy Jefferson Beard were shot and killed during a workers strike at the local docks. Several hundred citizens had been deputized because of the fear of violence. When a boat of strikers arrived it was ordered not to dock, but did so anyway. When the occupants were ordered to not disembark gunfire erupted and both Deputy Beard and Deputy Curtiss, one of the deputized citizens, were fatally wounded. The Sheriff was also shot and wounded. Although the exact circumstances are unknown because county records have since been destroyed, it is thought that both deputies were struck by friendly fire. Deputy Curtiss was a member of the Washington National Guard Reserve. He was posthomously awarded the Medal of Honor for his role in the incident in which he was killed.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Curtiss served with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Everett community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Curtiss.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Snohomish County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 6 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 35. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41.
Charles was 35. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Charles was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 11.8% of these deaths in WA, more than any other month. Sundays: 18.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Snohomish County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.6% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Snohomish County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Snohomish County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
