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Incident
Captain Stites was shot and killed when he interrupted three men burglarizing a store in the downtown area of Vicksburg. He had been alerted to the burglary by the sound of breaking glass. All three men were apprehended and convicted of Captain Stites' murder. One was sentenced to death and the other two were sentenced to life in prison. On July 3, 1917, one of the suspects, who was sentenced to life, told officials that he was the one who fired the fatal shot. The other suspect's death sentence was then commuted to life. On January 14, 1918, the suspect who confessed escaped from the state prison farm in Rankin County. He was captured on July 28, 1924, in Montesano, Washington. Captain Stites had served with the Vicksburg Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his three sisters.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Captain Stites gave the Vicksburg Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Vicksburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Captain Stites.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vicksburg Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 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 1916, 1 officer in MS was killed feloniously, the 70th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
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 56. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Charles was 56. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 56. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 14.4%.
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 4 deaths at Vicksburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.9% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Vicksburg Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Vicksburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
