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Incident
Police Officer Charles Ball was shot and killed at the train station while attempting to arrest a railroad employee who had threatened a woman. The subject who shot him was apprehended two months later. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Officer Ball was survived by his wife, eight children, and his mother. Two of Officer Ball's family members were also slain in the line of duty in separate incidents. His brother-in-law, Patrolman Lon Castle, was shot and killed on May 9th, 1925, while serving with the Ashland, Kentucky, Police Department. His brother, Prohibition Officer George Ball, was shot and killed in the line on June 20th, 1915, while serving with the West Virginia Department of Prohibition. He is buried in Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington Cabel County, West Virginia.
Survivors
Officer Ball was survived by his wife, eight children, and his mother.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Ball served with the Huntington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Huntington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ball.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Huntington Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 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 1923, 1 officer at Huntington Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 2.
In 1923, 8 officers in WV were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 45. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Huntington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.3 and 34.5; the middle age was 28.5.
Charles was 45. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
Charles was 45. 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 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths at Huntington Police Department; December holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 16.7%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Saturdays: 13%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Huntington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.6% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Huntington Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Huntington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
