Reserve Deputy Sheriff Charles J. Banning

Charles J. Banning

Reserve Deputy Chuck Banning drowned attempting to recover a vehicle from the Friant-Kern Canal a half-mile from Cecil Street at 3:00 p.m.

He had recovered a body from the submerged vehicle and returned to the car to attach a tow hook. After surfacing and calling those on the bank to retrieve the car, he suddenly went under again and failed to surface.

Two detectives immediately dove into the canal but could not locate him. His body was pulled from the canal by a special deputy a short time later.

On August 7, 1973, Deputy Banning recovered the body of his partner, Deputy Sheriff Terry Greer, in the same canal.

Deputy Banning was a United States Navy Korean War veteran and had served with the Kern County Sheriff's Office for six years. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, three brothers, and three sisters.