unheralded hero
deputy charles small
Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Wayne County Sheriff's Office
Rank: Deputy
Badge: Unknown
Served: Less Than A Year
Unit of Assignment / Detail:
Location of Incident (Present Day): Congress Street, between Hastings Street and Rivard Street, Detroit, Michigan
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Age at Time of Death: Approximately 31
Timeline
Date of Birth: Approximately 1826
Date of Appointment: Unknown
Date of Incident: 5 July 1857
End of Watch: 6 July 1857
Date of Interment: Unknown
Unheralded Hero Investigation Began: 12 December 2020
Accepted By Agency: 23 December 2020
Approved By National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: 1 February 2022
Interment Details
Cemetery: Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan
Grave Location: Unknown 
Interment Disposition: Burial
Service
Military Service: No Military Service
Memorial Details
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel 49 East Line 32
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Memorial at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum: Not Listed
Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: Not Listed
Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial: Not Listed
Wayne County First Responders Memorial: Not Listed
Incident & Biographic Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles Small was shot and killed as he and another deputy attempted to disperse a group of men who were fighting on Congress Street, between Hastings Street and Rivard Street, in Detroit.
A riot was occurring near the hospital and the sheriff sent for reinforcements. Deputy Small was summoned from home and as he and a second deputy responded to the scene they encountered the group of men. When the other deputy ordered them to disperse the group attacked him, knocked him to the ground, and kicked him repeatedly. The group also attacked Deputy Small and shot him in the head with a pistol after he fell to the ground.He died from his wounds the following morning.Over a dozen men were arrested in connection with Deputy Small's murder. Three brothers were convicted of lesser crimes in December 1857 and then pardoned by the Michigan governor in December 1858.Deputy Small had recently been appointed a deputy. He immigrated here from England and worked as a butcher before joining the Sheriff's Department. He married Franceska in 1854.