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Incident
Undersheriff Charles Blackburn and Deputy John Talley drowned when their patrol car was overtaken by water when a levee on the Feather River broke. The two were driving to warn residents of the break when they were killed. Undersheriff Blackburn had served with the agency for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
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.
Undersheriff Blackburn gave the Sutter County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yuba City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Blackburn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Sutter County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 10 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1955, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1955, 74 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 52. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Charles had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 52. 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 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 52. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 7.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 13.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Sutter County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Sutter County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Sutter County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
