Patrolman Charles B. Collis

Charles B. Collis

Patrolman Charles Collis was shot and killed by a man that had requested help from him.

Patrolman Collis was on post when the suspect approached him and asked him to accompany him to a room where a woman had some clothes that belonged to him.

Patrolman Collis followed the suspect into the room, where the suspect gathered his clothes. As he was doing so, he got involved in an argument with the female occupant. The suspect drew a handgun and shot the female. When Patrolman attempted to arrest the suspect, he was shot four times by the suspect.

The suspect was chased to police headquarters by Patrolman Collis' partner, where he was arrested. The next day he was taken from the jail by an angry mob, shot, and then lynched.

Patrolman Collis had served with the Springfield Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife and one child.

He is buried in Saint Raphaels Cemetery in Springfield, Ohio.