Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Jailer Wentworth,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Shelby County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 11, 2023

Deputy Charles Wentworth was my Uncle by marriage...He was a good man...very kind, bigger than life. I miss him.

ASAC Ken Chisholm
ATF

April 10, 2023

Remembering this day today for some reason.
My dad was the jailer and I think I was home on leave from GERMANY at the time.
When we got back to the jail everyone from all the surrounding counties was there.
First time ever I saw my dad cry, not only was he a great deputy jailer, but also a great law enforcement officer in general, and one of my dads best friends.

Kevin Van Natta

July 21, 2020

Charlie...you were my favorite Uncle...you were bigger than life to me. I too chose law enforcement as a career, unaware you had done the same. I was on duty the day you were murdered. I didn't find out about it till I visited the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial years later.

Special Agent Kenneth Chisholm
North Little Rock PD and ATF.

January 19, 2019

I was in the cell with the guy who shot Charlie. Buddy Hawks was moved from the 2nd floor to the 3rd one day before that. In those days visitors could come right up to the bars of your cell and visit with no guard there or anyting. He was actually in my cell when the gun was passed to him but no one knew about it but him. I heard buddy Hawks call down from the third floor and as Charlie to use the telephone and Charlie would do anything to help an inmate out so he immediately came up and got buddy and took him down to it downstairs to where the phone was. Next thing I knew I heard something that sounded like a firecracker I thought one of the trustees had snuck in a firecracker and was just playing around but then the detectives all got there and question all of us and we were released. Charlie was a good guy I wish that didn't have to happen.

Dennis Rogers inmate

May 10, 2018

Hi i am Deputy Jailer Charles D. Wentworth Granddaughter Mackenzie Bruner. He was my grandpa and i never got to meet him but i have header story's about him & love so much R.I.P Grandpa i love you & miss you even tho i never met you i still love you & miss you.

Mackenzie Bruner
Granddaughter

October 12, 2017

Hi i am Deputy Jailer Charles D. Wentworth Granddaughter Mackenzie Bruner. He was my grandpa and i never got to meet him but i have header story's about him & love so much R.I.P Grandpa i love you & miss you even tho i never met you i still love you & miss you.

Mackenzie Bruner
Granddaughter

October 12, 2017

Thank you for your brave and honorable service my brother. You are greatly appreciated. My wife and I are also jailers and have a special place in our hearts for men like you. We will honor you always and keep you in our prayers. Rest easy.

Herb Fernandez
Detention Corporal
Midland County Sheriff's Office TX
Honor Guard Member

April 11, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 11, 2012

Thank you for your service to Shelby County.

Paul Whitman, Deputy Director
Shelby County Emergency Management

July 17, 2008

The sacrifice you and your family gave, in the line of duty, will not be forgotten by the citizens of shelby county.

SHERIFF MIKE ARMSTRONG
SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

June 13, 2008

May your memories and dedication to the citizens of Shelby County never be forgotten.

Rob Rothenburger
Shelby County Judge-Execuitve

June 12, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NHV

May 5, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 27, 2008

Shelby Countians will not forget this

November 20, 2006

Deputy Jailer Wentworth,
On today, the 22nd anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Shelby County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

April 12, 2005