Incident
Officer Charles Byrd succumbed to injuries he received in a vehicle crash on September 19, 1963. Officer Bryd was a passenger in the patrol vehicle being driven by his partner when they engaged in a pursuit on Pennington Bend Road. The patrol car left the roadway on a sharp curve near McGavock Road and struck a fence. The fence post crashed into the windshield and hit Officer Byrd in the head. Officer Byrd was transported to General Hospital, where he died from his injuries a week later. The driver of the pursued car was never apprehended. Officer Byrd had served in law enforcement for just under 2.5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, father, three sisters, and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Officer Byrd gave the Metro Nashville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Byrd.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Metro Nashville Police Department has lost 20 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 1 officer at Metro Nashville Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1963, 2 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1963, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1963, 67 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 79th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 27. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Metro Nashville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 37.5; the middle age was 35. Charles had served 2.3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 27. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2.3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 27. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 2.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 27. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 2.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 14.3% of these deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department; May holds the most, 42.9%. Thursdays: 42.9%.
September holds 11.5% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Thursdays: 11.5%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 35% of all 20 deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Metro Nashville Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Lonnie L. Harper
Aug 10, 1963
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Charles Reuben Byrd
Sep 26, 1963
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Carroll Gordon Bargatze
Oct 16, 1965
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Thomas E. Johnson
Jan 16, 1968
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Charles W. Thomasson
Mar 17, 1968
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Robert L. Williams
May 2, 1968
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Raymond Leroy Wheeler
Nov 6, 1973
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Curtis Jordan
Jan 13, 1976
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George Howard Hall
Feb 23, 1976
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Steven Ross Pinkelton
Jul 26, 1978
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Edward L. Tarkington
Dec 17, 1978
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John Wesley Smith, III
May 14, 1980
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William Lee Bowlin
Aug 4, 1982
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James Ronnie Woodard, Sr.
Oct 9, 1991
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Francis Paul Scurry
May 17, 1996
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Candace Renee Ripp
Dec 8, 2001
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Christy Jo Dedman
Jul 19, 2004
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Michael Alexander Petrina
May 10, 2014
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Eric Wayne Mumaw
Feb 2, 2017
-
John Ralph Anderson, IV
Jul 4, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
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