Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Charles Cameron was shot and killed by another Patrolman who mistook him for an offender.
Detective Cameron was at Fuhrer's Park, near 25th Street and Jackson Avenue in Queens, while working a plainclothes detail at a picnic that included a live orchestra. As the orchestra went on a break, several members of the crowd became irate and began fighting with the musicians. Detective Cameron moved into the crowd and identified himself as a detective. The disorderly subjects attacked Detective Cameron. Detective Cameron drew his revolver and fired two rounds, striking one of his attackers. The shots did not deter the crowd, and they continued to attack Detective Cameron, who was able to escape and crawl under the dance platform.
A uniformed patrolman arrived at the scene and was told a gunman was hiding under the stage. Unaware that the person under the stage was a fellow member of the department, the patrolman crawled under the stage and in the darkness ordered Detective Cameron to come out. After receiving no answer, the Patrolman fired one round, killing Detective Cameron. It is believed that Detective Cameron did not hear the commands due to his injuries from the attack and the noise from the people fighting.
Detective Cameron served with the New York City Police Department for 16 years. He was assigned to the 114th Precinct.
Detective Cameron was at Fuhrer's Park, near 25th Street and Jackson Avenue in Queens, while working a plainclothes detail at a picnic that included a live orchestra. As the orchestra went on a break, several members of the crowd became irate and began fighting with the musicians. Detective Cameron moved into the crowd and identified himself as a detective. The disorderly subjects attacked Detective Cameron. Detective Cameron drew his revolver and fired two rounds, striking one of his attackers. The shots did not deter the crowd, and they continued to attack Detective Cameron, who was able to escape and crawl under the dance platform.
A uniformed patrolman arrived at the scene and was told a gunman was hiding under the stage. Unaware that the person under the stage was a fellow member of the department, the patrolman crawled under the stage and in the darkness ordered Detective Cameron to come out. After receiving no answer, the Patrolman fired one round, killing Detective Cameron. It is believed that Detective Cameron did not hear the commands due to his injuries from the attack and the noise from the people fighting.
Detective Cameron served with the New York City Police Department for 16 years. He was assigned to the 114th Precinct.
Survivors
Detective Cameron was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NY-1A5EE6A7- 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.
Detective Cameron gave the New York City Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Cameron.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Charles J. Cameron is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 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 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
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 J. Cameron's cause is highlighted.
How Charles J. Cameron Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Charles J. Cameron is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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