Charles F. Wanless
Agency patch
Police Officer

Charles F. Wanless

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO
Felonious
End of Watch September 18, 1890
The Vigil Panel 28 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Wanless was shot and killed by an intoxicated man after responding to a disturbance call at a boarding house. As he entered the house the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding him. Officer Wanless managed to return fire seriously wounding the suspect.

The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

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

136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Wanless served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Denver, Denver County, CO
Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 18, 1890
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1890, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Denver Police Department has 74 officers remembered here, Charles among them.

Across the years

Police Officer Charles F. Wanless

Denver Police Department · End of Watch September 18, 1890

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W

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