Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Godfrey was inadvertently shot and killed after being mistaken for a suspect as he attempted to make an arrest while off duty. Patrolman Godfrey observed a reserve officer and his wife being attacked. He took immediate action to apprehend suspects and, while in pursuit of them, was killed by friendly fire. Patrolman Godfrey was a United States Army WWI veteran who had served with the New York City Police Department for one year, assigned to the 16th Precinct, the present-day 32nd Precinct. He was survived by his wife and three children. He is buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery in the Police Arlington Gardens, Brooklyn, New York.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-3A2593FF- Stewardship
- 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 Godfrey gave the New York City Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the New York 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 L. Godfrey served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Charles L. Godfrey is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 30 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles L. Godfrey's cause is highlighted.
How Charles L. Godfrey Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Charles L. Godfrey is highlighted in May.
Incident Location
Military Service
Charles L. Godfrey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles L. Godfrey’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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