Charlie was born February 16, 1939 in Cincinnati to pipe layer Claude and Lucy (Whitis) Bray, of Pulaski County, Kentucky and living in Saint Bernard. Charlie attended Woodward High School, participated all four years in the Orchestra and stagecraft, and graduated in 1957.
Charlie joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office on June 6, 1968 as a Corrections Officer. On August 18, 1969 he single-handedly captured three bandits wanted for armed robbery of Bi Low Service Station minutes before on North Bend Road. By 1975 he was promoted to Patrol Officer and by 1980 assigned to the Traffic Safety Section. During September 1982, he was promoted to Patrolman II and assigned as Auto Theft Specialist. Specialist Bray completed training in 1985 and was certified in Auto Theft Investigation by the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association. After a successful transition, Specialist Bray began having serious back issues and was, on July 22, 1986, medically retired with sixteen years of service to the County and several letters of appreciation and/or commendation, including one each from the FBI Cincinnati Field Office Special Agent in Charge and FBI Director, William H. Webster.
Specialist Bray died on March 8, 2022 at the age of 83.
He is predeceased by his parents and a grandson. Specialist Bray is survived by his children, Bonnie S. (Tom) Reynolds, retired Hamilton County Deputy Sheriff Thomas Allen (Dispatcher Jackie) Bray, and Kathleen Ann (Larry) Burchett; grandchildren, including a grandson, Hamilton County Dispatcher Logan Bray; and great-grandchildren.
Visitation and/or services may occur in April, at the discretion of the family.
© 2022 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum