Officer Charles Lee Eustes

Charles Lee Eustes

Officer Charles Eustes was shot and killed with his own weapon when he responded to a domestic disturbance on Seventh Avenue South.

When he arrived at the scene, he heard a woman moaning inside the house. He attempted to enter the house to check on her well-being, but a male subject blocked his path. A struggle ensued, and the man obtained control of Officer Eustes' service weapon before shooting him.

The 24-year-old man was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. On February 21st, 1969, the Florida Appeals Court reduced his conviction to second-degree murder and ordered that he be re-sentenced. He was re-sentenced, but still received a life sentence. He was in prison in 1980 and was to be released in 1982. No information about a release could be found.

Officer Eustes had served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and two children.