Incident
Officer Charlie Gall was shot and killed during a period of political unrest. There had been several violent political clashes as a result of President Johnson's post-Civil War Reconstruction policies. Officer Gall and two other officers responded to a fight at the Stanhope Hotel on West Washington Street. As they attempted to quell the disturbance the large crowd turned on the officers and started accusing them of being "rebels." The mob started throwing stones at the officers as they chased them two blocks through town. The officers sought refuge in a house near the intersection of North Jonathan Street and Church Street. The mob swelled to almost 2,000 people as the officers attempted to defend themselves. Some members of the crowd fired several shots at the house, one of which struck Officer Gall in the head. The mob then stormed the house and stabbed one of the other officers while the rest of the occupants of the home escaped out of the back. The officer who was stabbed eventually recovered from his wounds. Officer Gall was a Union Army veteran of the Civil War.
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BO-US-MD-B5478C17- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Charles is one person.
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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.
Officer Gall served with the Hagerstown Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hagerstown 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. Gall served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Officer Charles E. Gall is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 51.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Hagerstown Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles E. Gall's cause is highlighted.
How Charles E. Gall Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles E. Gall is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles E. Gall was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Charles E. Gall served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles E. Gall’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Hagerstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.




