Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

City Marshal Wilson the date of your death and murder while serving as a protector of the peace for Oceanside has come yet another year. Each year counts away time, but does not swerve our steady resolve to remember your sacrifice to America, California, and the pioneer beginnings of this great city we call Oceanside. Lest we forget! God Bless!

Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Department

August 5, 2006

City Marshal Wilson was missed a great deal by his brother Keno, who lamented his death many years after Charlie's murder. Wilson is a brother to me as well and his service was honorable! God Bless this officer. Lest we forget!

Oceanside Officer

June 15, 2006

We will never forget! Yours was not in vain!

Matt Lyons
OPD

May 24, 2006

We will never forget!

Police Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Department

February 5, 2006

Oceanside City Marshal Charles Clinton Wilson was buried in the Buena Vista Cemetary, Oceanside, Ca (Which no longer exist) and was located in South Oceanside, on Vista Way where the SR-78 onramp begins. The cemetary was where most of the original town founders had been buried, including City Marshal Charlie Wilson. Early newspaper reports explain how a developer petitioned the City and in 1970 approval was given to build a Filling (Gas) Station and Hunter Staek House, on top of where the old cemetary once stood. There were few records that explain where all of the 45 deceased were reinterred. Some were moved to surrounding Oceanside Cemetaries and some in the now City of San Diego. Some reports do establish that some graves had been left underneath the pavement where the Steak house and Gas Station now stand and the headstones were discarded. Although a major ethical and historical tragedy, today there remains only a small marble stone in the side walk out in front of the steak house, embedded in the sidewalk. There area 45 names of those known to originally have been buried there. Oceanside starting using this cemetary during 1885 when the early pioneers began settling there, before the City was even incorporated. The stone relects that City Marshal Wilson was buried on July 2, 1889, which is incorrect and contridicts all other information known to include the San Diego Coroners report that reflects the his murder/death occurred on July 4, 1889, and then his subsequent burial after the 4th. This is written to document this hero's final resting place, so that others who area interested can locate him. City Marshal Wilson may you rest in peace!

Cpl Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Dept.

June 27, 2005

I am trying to locate the final resting place of City Marshal C.C. Wilson. I will post it when I find it. May he rest in peace!

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Department, California

January 6, 2005

Your are not forgotten on this 4th of July 2004. Rest in Peace!

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Department

July 3, 2004

On May 5th 2004, a memorial will be placed in front of the current Oceanside Police Department, 3855 Mission Ave, Oceanside, California honoring the lives and service of Oceanside’s fallen officers, City Marshal Charles "C.C.” Wilson; City Marshal John E. Mugan; and Police Officer Tony Zeppetella. Their sacrifices and the loss by their families is more than any community should have to ask of its Public Servants. Those who wear the badge on their chest, know all too well how quickly the ultimate price can be made in the pursuit of peace and civility. Whether the life is taken during the 19th Century or present day, each is valued in its loss and impact on the betterment of society. Better to have stood in the face of tyranny and fallen for a cause greater than you in hopes that others may enjoy peace, than to have recognized malice and not have acted! God Bless Marshal Wilson, Marshal Mugan and Officer Zeppetella. You did your duty! Rest in peace! We will continue your work!

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Department

May 3, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003). Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend recently. Deputy Jeffery Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

I want to honor all of those who gave their life in the line of duty. Although your death was many many years ago, you are still a hero.

God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 9, 2004

Merry Christmas! Marshal Wilson you are remembered!

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Department

December 18, 2003

Marshal Charles Wilson you are not forgotten. History tells us that your brother Keno continued your family tradition of Law Enforcement and even went on to become the Chief of Police of San Diego Police Department. Thank you Marshal for your sacrifice.

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Department

November 14, 2003

How successful an organization is and how its members view the organization can best be affected by how the organizations treats or recognizes it past members' sacrifices and achievements. City Marshal Charles Wilson was an early pioneer of law enforcement in the City of Oceanside, the County of San Diego, the State of California, and yes even the United States. The hardships he endured and obstacles he overcame cannot be measured by today's standards. Equally this could be said of present day Police Officers in comparison to the times of the late 1800's and early 1900's, when Oceanside City Marshal Wilson served. One thing that remains unchanged is the basic mission of keeping the peace, preserving order and the high risk involved when any officer (Present Day or Old West) puts their lives on the line in pursuit of a worthy objective. Many of the Officers today may not readily know who City Marshal Charles Wilson was, but most likely share the same ethos that is known by all who wear a badge and sometimes go into harm's way.

I am respectfully submitting this reflection as recognition for the sacrifice and acts of bravery City Marshal Charles Wilson exhibited on the day of his death. Officers like City Marshal Wilson of the 19th Century, who have been overlooked, for their heroic and brave service are equally valued still today as we enter the 21st Century. The essence of promoting "Espirt de Corps" is embedded in how we treat our fallen.

City Marhsal Charles Wilson you did your duty and Oceanside is a better place because of you.

Respectfully Submitted,