Roll of Honor

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Chief of Police

Charles Eberwein

South River Police Department — South River, NJ

Felonious

End of Watch February 10, 1936

Age 53

The Vigil Panel 71 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Chief Eberwein was shot and killed in police headquarters by a tavern owner who had been arrested earlier for selling illegal liquor. Chief Eberwein was speaking with one of the state liquor agents who had raided the man's tavern when the suspect walked in, produced a pistol, and shot Chief Eberwein in the chest. The 48-year-old suspect then shot at several officers before shooting himself in the head. He died three days later.

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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.
Chief of Police Eberwein served with the South River Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the South River community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Eberwein.

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

Agency

Department South River Police Department

Location South River, NJ

Platform Identity srpd.middlesex.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 10, 1936

Age 53

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Committed suicide

Chief of Police Charles Eberwein 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 NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

South River Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

NJ — Statewide

264

of 646 officers

40.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Eberwein's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Charles Eberwein Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Committed suicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Eberwein is highlighted in Feb.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Eberwein was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518