Charles F. Finn

Reading Police Department — Reading, PA

Felonious

End of Watch May 11, 1905

Age 28

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 20 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Patrolman Charles Finn was shot and killed while chasing three men he caught burglarizing a grain store near the intersection of Ninth Street and Franklin Street at 2:30 a.m. When he witnessed the suspects fleeing from the flour and feed store of Strunk & Moyer, he began to chase the three men when one suddenly turned and shot him in the abdomen with a revolver. Patrolman Finn succumbed to his wound 11 hours later. The suspect was later apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Patrolman Finn had served with the Reading Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother and siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-0EA79CFA
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Finn gave the Reading Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reading community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Finn.

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

Agency

Department Reading Police Department

Location Reading, PA

Platform Identity rpd.berks.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 11, 1905

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Sentenced to 20 years

Patrolman Charles F. Finn 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Reading Police Department, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.

Reading Police Department

of 9 officers

55.6% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious