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Incident
Around noon, John T. Groves was in Opperman's Saloon in Palestine, where for no apparent reason, Groves severely cut a Mr. McCullough. Groves then left the saloon. Policeman W. M. Micheaux notified Deputy Sheriff Charles Ledwith of the assault. Deputy Ledwith went to Groves' residence to make the arrest. Groves shot and killed the deputy on the front porch. The medical report stated the deputy was shot in the back. Groves was arrested and charged with murder of Ledwith and assault to murder of McCullough. On January 10, 1914, Groves was found not guilty of murder and the assault to murder charge was dismissed two weeks later.
Deputy Ledwith was survived by his mother, father and a brother. He was buried in the Jasper City Cemetery in Jasper County.
Survivors
Deputy Ledwith was survived by his mother, father and a brother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ledwith served with the Anderson County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Palestine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ledwith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Anderson County Sheriff's Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 34. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Charles was 34. 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 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Anderson County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Anderson County Sheriff's Department has 5 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Anderson County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
