Peoria - Charles E. (Charlie) Hurt passed away peacefully at OSF Hospital on Tuesday, January 15, surrounded by family and good friends. Charlie was born July 15, 1943 to Harry E. Hurt and Betty J Hurt (nee Griffin) in Peoria, Illinois. He married Jean Schepke on January 18, 1991 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from Manual High School and received his Associate Degree in Police Science Technology from Illinois Central College in 1975.
Charlie was in the United States Marine Corp from 1962 to 1966. He served in the Vietnam Theatre.
Charlie began his Peoria Police career in April 1969 as a patrolman, serving as a Field Training Office, Tactical Unit Officer, Vice and Narcotics, and Firearms Instructor. As a Sergeant, he was responsible for training, overseeing special security details, VIP protection, and use of specialized weapons. In addition to full time Sergeant duties, he specialized in collateral duty of Chief Firearms Instructor for over 14 years and Bomb Squad Commander for 16 years…a unit near and dear to his heart. As a Lieutenant he had collateral duty of the Special Response Team Commander. He had excellent working relationships and camaraderie with and amongst all personnel. Throughout his career he participated in many training schools…too many to mention, not the least of which was the Northwestern Staff and Command and the FBI Police Institute in Washington DC. His continuing effort to always want to learn, even led a Caterpillar Human Resource Manager to ask how he could create more Charlie Hurts.
He retired from the Peoria Police Department in November of 2003. A second career began when the head of Cat Security asked him to join the group of Executive Transportation. This ultimately led to a position in Key Employee Security including becoming an Air Marshall on the corporate jet for trips to Washington D.C. He truly enjoyed the experience and developed a kinship with Doug Oberhelman, then CEO of Caterpillar. He retired from his second career in July of 2017.
Charlie could not just retire so he qualified for as a Concealed Carry Instructor… a position he maintained until his death. He was a patient and knowledgeable teacher respected by all who knew him.
Charlie and Jean had a fun and wonderful marriage, with wonderful cruises and trips with vacation mates Lonnie and Mary Ann Reed. He thoroughly enjoyed hunting with lifelong friend Dave Blanchard on 30+ year trips to their beloved Wyoming.
He is survived by wife Jean, son, Brent Hurt (Beverly Glidewell), Granddaughter Morgan Hurt of Houston, Texas; Brothers Dennis (Dianne) and Greg (Mary), Sisters, Brenda Chepanoske and Sheryl Boatman along with nephews, Jason (Tiffany), Gary (Mary Lou), Bob (Paige) , Michael, Carl (Natalie), nieces Cori (Steve), Christina, honorary grandson Chase Doolittle, and his beloved dogs Basil and Sage (The Spice Boys)
Visitation will be at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel Friday January 18, 2019 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Funeral service will be Saturday January 19, 2019 at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel at 10 a.m. with visitiation 1 hour prior. Cremation will be accorded.
Condolences can be made online at www.Davison-Fulton.com
Memorials may be made in Charlie’s name to St. Jude or TAPS.
