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Charles E. Bruce
Incident
Patrolman Charlie Bruce succumbed to injuries he received when he was involved in a motorcycle crash on Wednesday, August 3, 1983, at 12:45 p.m. Patrolman Bruce was traveling north on Atlantic Boulevard when a vehicle made an illegal U-turn in front of him. He was unable to avoid hitting the side of the vehicle, and he flew into the air. The impact of the crash and the force of hitting the ground caused his helmet to fall off. He was transported to North Beach Community Hospital, where he was unable to recover from a fractured pelvis and injuries to his chest, abdomen, and head and died three weeks later. The driver was charged with making an improper U-turn. Patrolman Bruce was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Bruce gave the Fort Lauderdale Police Department 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Lauderdale community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles E. Bruce served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fort Lauderdale Police Department has lost 13 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 315 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.3% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer at Fort Lauderdale Police Department was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 2.
In 1983, 5 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1983, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1983, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 46. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Fort Lauderdale Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 46; the middle age was 43. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Charles was 46. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 33.3% of these deaths at Fort Lauderdale Police Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 22.2%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 69.2% of all 13 deaths at Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.3% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Fort Lauderdale Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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R. Dwight Johnston
Apr 5, 1947
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Donald E. Kirby, Jr.
Oct 9, 1968
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Walter Demitrie Ilyankoff
Jul 21, 1974
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Gregory John Conners
Nov 12, 1977
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John C. Alexander
Aug 3, 1981
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Kenneth Petersen
Aug 3, 1981
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Charles E. Bruce
Aug 24, 1983
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Norman Lewis Eddy, Jr.
May 25, 1989
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Frank Anthony Mastrangelo, Jr.
May 25, 1989
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David L. Brower
Dec 29, 1994
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Bryant Howard Peney
Jan 6, 1996
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Jose Antonio Diaz
Oct 8, 2005
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Jennifer B. Sepot
Aug 14, 2021
Where
Military Service
Charles E. Bruce served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles E. Bruce’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Fort Lauderdale Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
