Shelby County Detention Center, Kentucky
End of Watch: Monday, April 11, 1983
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 2 weeks
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 11, 1983
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 2 life terms
Deputy Jailer Charles Wentworth was shot and killed during an escape attempt at the Shelby County Jail at 501 Main Street in Shelbyville.
An inmate's girlfriend had smuggled a handgun into the jail. As Deputy Wentworth escorted the inmate to use the phone, he was shot in the abdomen and killed.
The inmate was captured, pleaded guilty to murder, and sentenced to two life terms in prison. the inmate's girlfriend was sentenced to 20 years for complicity to murder, complicity to escape, and theft charges.
Deputy Wentworth had served with the Shelby County Detention Center for two weeks and previously served as a constable. He was survived by his expectant wife and six children.