Sheriff Charles Stevens was struck and killed by a car.

On May 6, 1968 at about 9:45 pm, Sheriff Stevens was struck and killed by a vehicle as he crossed U.S. Route 136, about five miles east of Tarkio. Sheriff Stevens had been involved in the search for an escapee from Iowa. He and a Missouri Highway Patrol sergeant had stopped their vehicles on opposite sides of Route 136. Sheriff Stevens was crossing the road to speak with the sergeant about the search when he was struck and killed by an oncoming vehicle driven by a 16 year-old girl who became confused by the roadblock with lights and lost control of her car.

Sheriff Stevens has been appointed sheriff by the court in May 1966 to fulfill the remainder of the previous sheriff who had resigned and was then elected in 1967. Sheiff Stevens had begun his career with the Atchison County Sheriff's Department in 1963. He was survived by his wife, Charlotte and five sons. Sheriff Stevens widow, Charlotte Stevens, was appointed sheriff of Atchison County by the court the following day. Charlotte was the third widow of an Atchison County Sheriff to be appointed to serve as sheriff following their husband's death. Interred: Tarkio Home Cemetery, Tarkio, MO.