Charles H. Bates

San Francisco Police Department — San Francisco, CA

Felonious

End of Watch July 26, 1912

Age 33

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 26 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 105

Incident

Officer Charles Bates was shot and killed in an attempted hold-up at the intersection of 16th Street and Shotwell Street shortly before midnight. He had just completed his shift, had changed into civilian clothes, and was walking home when he was approached by a man who attempted to rob him. He was shot once in the chest as he took action to attempt to stop the robbery. He was transported to Central Emergency Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His murder remains unsolved. Officer Bates had served with the San Francisco Police Department for five years and was assigned to the Mission Street Station.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-BC7C148A
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Bates gave the San Francisco Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Bates.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department San Francisco Police Department

Location San Francisco, CA

Platform Identity sfpd.sf.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 26, 1912

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender At large

Officer Charles H. Bates is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At San Francisco Police Department, 66 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.3% of this agency's fallen.

San Francisco Police Department

of 106 officers

62.3% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious