Southern Pines Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Thursday, April 4, 1991
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: 857
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 4, 1991
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life plus 60 years
Detective Charles Harris was shot and killed in his own home by several drug dealers in a case of retaliation after he arrested them.
The subjects discovered where he lived, went to his home, and shot him as he answered the door. His wife was also shot and wounded. Eight subjects were arrested in connection with his murder. The man who shot him, age 22, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life plus 60 years in prison. He was denied parole in 2013, 2014, and again in 2017. As of June 9, 2023, he was in prison.
Detective Harris was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served in law enforcement for 20 years. He had served with the Hoke County Sheriff's Office before joining the Southern Pines Police Department. He is survived by his wife and three children.