U.S. Marine Corps · United States 
Charles Otto Ley
1972
Charles O. Ley served the U.S. Marine Corps for 4 years. Charles served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
Mechanism
Motor vehicle
What Happened
Deputy Sheriff Charles Ley was killed in an automobile crash while on patrol on May 24th, 1972, at 2 am. When he and his partner were stopped at an intersection, they observed a car run a red light and pursued the car on Valley Boulevard. As they were entering the 605 Freeway southbound, they lost control of their patrol car on the curve. The vehicle went off the road, rolled over twice, and landed upside down against a fence. Deputy Ley was pronounced dead at the scene. His partner survived with minor injuries. Both deputies had been wearing their seatbelts and helmets. Deputy Ley had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
Service Record
U.S. Marine Corps
1958 – 1962
Conflicts
Vietnam War
Cold War
Also Served
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Deputy Sheriff
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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