Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Charles Mayer was shot and killed while investigating a burglary at the intersection of University Avenue and Farrington Avenue at 0220 hours. He surprised the three burglars who were attempting to break into a butcher shop. Officer Mayer was shot in the groin with a .44 caliber handgun. He was able to return fire but did not strike the suspects. All three suspects were eventually arrested in Kansas but had to be released due to lack of evidence and a key witness refusing to testify. One of the suspects shot and killed Officer Lafayette Smith of the Omaha, Nebraska Police Department on January 14, 1909. He was later shot and killed by a Omaha police detective. Officer Mayer had been with the agency for four years and was assigned to the Bicycle Squad.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-94F4F0DC- 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.
Police Officer Mayer gave the Saint Paul Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mayer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Charles Mayer 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 MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 4.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Saint Paul Police Department, 20 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Mayer's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Mayer Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Mayer is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Mayer was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Saint Paul Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
