Charles E. Schaeffer

Buffalo Police Department — Buffalo, NY

Felonious

End of Watch September 6, 1911

Age 38

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

The Vigil Panel 26 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 50

Incident

Patrolman Charles Schaeffer succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier when he attempted to arrest a man for stealing jackets from a party. On September 4th, 1911, Patrolman Schaeffer was patrolling his beat when he was told of larceny that had occurred at a wedding celebration. Patrolman Schaeffer was given a description of four men who had stolen coats from the party. A short time later Patrolman Schaeffer came across three men, one of whom matched the description of a suspect, at a saloon at 307 Dingens Street. He immediately placed the man under arrest. One of the man's companions demanded the release of the prisoner. When Patrolman Schaeffer refused, the companion drew a handgun and shot at the officer. As the shot was fired Patrolman Schaeffer turned his body in a way which caused the prisoner to be placed between the shooter and himself. The metal-jacketed bullet struck the prisoner in the heart killing him instantly. The bullet passed through the prisoner and struck Patrolman Schaeffer in the abdomen. After Patrolman Schaeffer fell to the ground the shooter fired two more shots into him before fleeing. Patrolman Schaffer was able to drag himself down the street in order to use a patrol callbox to send in an alarm. While hospitalized from these wounds Patrolman Schaeffer positively identified his assailant (who up until that time remained at large and unidentified). The subject was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He was convicted and executed at Auburn Prison on August 14th, 1912. Patrolman Schaeffer had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 17 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and nine children.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Patrolman Schaeffer gave the Buffalo Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Schaeffer.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Buffalo Police Department

Location Buffalo, NY

Platform Identity bpd.erie.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 6, 1911

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Executed in 1912

Patrolman Charles E. Schaeffer 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Buffalo Police Department, 22 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.1% of this agency's fallen.

Buffalo Police Department

of 51 officers

43.1% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious