Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Charles Bernoskie was shot and killed when he surprised two suspects who were burglarizing a car dealership on West Milton Avenue. The suspects remained unknown for 42 years until one of the two men confessed. One subject pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced to three years in prison. The second subject, who was already serving a life prison term for murdering a 16-year-old girl in 1969, was found not guilty after standing trial in 2001. He died in jail on the 50th anniversary of Officer Bernoskie's murder. Officer Bernoskie had served with the agency for 3-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-4349C5DA- 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 Bernoskie gave the Rahway Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rahway community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bernoskie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Charles Bernoskie 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%.
At Rahway Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Bernoskie's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Bernoskie Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested after 42 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Bernoskie is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Bernoskie was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Rahway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
