Charles McWhorter
Service Record
Pueblo County Colorado Sheriff's Office
| Rank | Deputy |
| Last Known Status | Active |
Commendations
2018 Medal of Valor
McWhorter received the Medal of Valor for his involvement in the 2017 shooting of Dennis Flowers. The department described the medal as the "highest decoration of bravery exhibited by public safety officers in the United States". See below.[1]
2023 Purple Heart
On February 17, 2023, McWhorter received a purple heart award due to injuries received during the shooting death of Richard Ward. See below.[1]
Incident Reports
2017 Death of Dennis Flowers
McWhorter and Deputy Charles Roldan were involved in a search for Flowers, who had an outstanding warrant for a robbery. Investigators believe that Flowers pointed a gun at the officers, who shot, killing Flowers.[1]
Response Timeline
The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Team (CIT) released a report from their investigation, which determined that the use of force was "justified".[1]
2022 Death of Richard Ward
On February 22, 2023, Ward was waiting in a school parking lot with his mother to pick up his brother. While waiting, Ward walked around the parking lot and accidentally entered another vehicle that looked like his mother's.[1]
Deputies McWhorter and Cassandra Gonzales were dispatched to the school on a report of a "suspicious" person. When they located Ward, he explained the confusion and claimed that he was uncomfortable around police. After McWhorter asked for identification and whether Ward was armed, Ward put a pill in his mouth. McWhorter pulled Ward from the vehicle and a struggle ensued. Multiple officers later claimed that Ward was reaching for McWhorter's gun. McWhorter shot Ward during the struggle.[1]
Officers called for medical assistance, but did not render aid to Ward as they were concerned for their safety around the occupied vehicle. Ward died.[2]
The incident was captured on body-worn cameras.[1]
Ward's family claimed the pill was anxiety medication.[3]
Response Timeline
On February 23, 2022, the department opened an investigation.[1]
On October 14, 2022, CIT released a report from their investigation, which determined that the use of force was "justified".[1][4]
Ward's family filed a lawsuit against the county, McWhorter, and other officers.[1]
On July 25, 2023, a judge denied the officers' claims of qualified immunity.[5]
LEO Ratings
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Anna Winfrey, Pueblo deputy awarded Purple Heart for injuries suffered during shooting of Richard Ward, Pueblo Chieftain, 2023-02-23
- ↑ District Attorney CIT Decision Letter, Office of the District Attorney, 2022-10-14
- ↑ Justin Reutter, Pueblo County, sheriff's deputies sued for 2022 fatal shooting outside middle school, Pueblo Chieftain, 2023-02-23
- ↑ CIT Decision Letter, Office of the District Attorney, 2022-1014
- ↑ Michael Karlik, Federal judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit against Pueblo deputy who killed man at middle school, Colorado Politics, 2023-07-28
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