Charles F. West
Agency: Jackson County Family Court, MO
Officer West was hired as a youth worker in 1981 and promoted to social worker in 1984.
Juvenile Officer Charles West was shot and killed by a juvenile inmate he was supervising.
The juvenile had been arrested for shooting four other juveniles, auto theft, and possession of stolen property. During the initial shooting incident, the boy was attacked by the crowd and suffered an injury to his jaw that required follow-up medical treatment. Officer West transported the boy to Children's Mercy Hospital for treatment. As he was returning the boy to the detention center, they stopped at the boy's home. When the boy went inside he retrieved a handgun that he used to shoot Officer West in the back of the head with. He then placed Officer West's body in the trunk of his car and drove away. The boy's family witnessed the incident and called authorities, who located the abandoned car a short time later.
Reflections:
Your love and passion for children showed not only in your family but in your profession as well. Today would have been your 62nd Birthday. You are sorely missed.
Karletha (Ross) Harris
Niece
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