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Incident
Patrolman Charles Crooker died after contracting the influenza virus while manning a city ambulance during the Influenza Epidemic of 1918. It is believed he contracted the virus while tending to victims at a temporary hospital. Patrolman Crooker had served with the Quincy Police Department for 19 years. Effects of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic on Law Enforcement Also known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe," the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 to early 1920, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. The effect of the influenza epidemic in the United States was so dire that the average life span in the U.S. fell by twelve years. The four waves of the flu began in March 1918 and ended in April 1920. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job. The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Influenza Pandemic will likely never be known. Still, ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission never to forget the fallen. Please click here to view ODMP's Influenza memorial, listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Crooker gave the Quincy Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Quincy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Crooker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Quincy Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Charles is one of 59 officers lost to illness in MA, 12.6% of the 469 remembered there.
Charles is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 35 officers in MA were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 226 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1918, 235 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Charles was 55. Of the 59 lost to illness in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 11.4 years.
Charles was 55. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Charles had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Charles was 55. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Charles had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
October holds 27.1% of these deaths in MA, more than any other month. Mondays: 8.5%.
October holds 14.9% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.2%.
October holds 12.6% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Quincy Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 12.6% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Quincy Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Quincy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
