Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Charles Schmidt succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day as he attempted to arrest a suspect wanted for assault. The man opened fire, striking Chief Schmidt in the arm and chest.
The suspect also shot and wounded the police chief from Rutherford, New Jersey, before barricading himself in a boathouse. He remained in the boathouse for several hours before committing suicide.
Condolences to his family and friends
Carson loveless April 29th, 2024
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-85E0DB1B- 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.
Chief of Police Schmidt served with the Carlstadt Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Carlstadt community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Schmidt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Charles L. Schmidt 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles L. Schmidt's cause is highlighted.
How Charles L. Schmidt Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles L. Schmidt is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles L. Schmidt was killed by gun; unknown type.