Los Angeles Police Department, California
End of Watch Saturday, January 13, 1923
Add to My HeroesCharles P. Williams
Policeman Charles Williams was shot and killed while working a vice detail along Central Avenue. He and his partner were working undercover when they were flagged down by a citizen who told them a man was waving a gun at a nearby house. The officers knew this house to be a brothel. It was later discovered that the man was the landlord of the house and had entered to impose a vigilante clean-up of the house by evicting prostitutes. As they were driving there, the police car broke down and Policeman Williams decided to walk the rest of the way. Upon his arrival, he told the man to put his hands up. The suspect fired twice, striking Policeman Williams in the abdomen.
A passing truck transported Policeman Williams to a nearby hospital where he died from his wounds.
The suspect was later captured, but it is unknown what happened to him. The suspect claimed he did not know Policeman Williams was an officer.
Policeman Williams is the first known African-American Officer to be killed in the line of duty in Los Angeles. He was survived by his wife.
City officials have designated the downtown intersection of Central Avenue and Sixth Street as Officer Charles P. Williams Square.
Bio
- Age 35
- Tour 3 years
- Badge 567
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Not available
Most Recent Reflection
View all 19 ReflectionsOn this actual anniversary of your heroic and untimely death I’d like to reiterate my previous reflection and say that your law enforcement brethren will always remember your heroism and sacrifice.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
January 13, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Ned Byrd
Wake County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: August 11, 2022

Corporal Chad M. Beattie
Washington County Sheriff's Office, PA
EOW: August 10, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Andrew Peery
El Paso County Sheriff's Office, CO
EOW: August 7, 2022

Special Police Officer Maurica Manyan
District of Columbia Public Library Office of Public Safety, DC
EOW: August 4, 2022

Sergeant Jèan-Harold Astree
Fairburn Police Department, GA
EOW: July 28, 2022

Sergeant Matthew Fishman
Wayne County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: August 2, 2022

Supervising Fire Marshal John Joseph "Jack" McCauley
New York City Fire Department - Bureau of Fire Investigation, NY
EOW: May 28, 2022

Police Officer Noah Shahnavaz
Elwood Police Department, IN
EOW: July 31, 2022

Deputy Sheriff II Jamie Lynn Reynolds
Spalding County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: July 31, 2022