Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Charles Davis was shot and killed during a robbery while working an off-duty employment. Police Officer Davis was working a security job at a check cashing store on Astoria Blvd. in the East Elmhurst section of Queens. As the store was being opened, just after 7:00 am, Officer Davis and the businessman who owned the establishment were ambushed by armed suspects and forced inside. Once inside, the robbers fatally shot Officer Davis and shot the store owner multiple times. Officer Davis was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital Center where he died from his wounds. Three men, ages 19, 20, and 22, were arrested and charged with murder a week later. The 19-year-old shooter was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. In 2021, all three convictions were overturned. All three have been released. Officer Davis' brother-in-law, Officer Ronald Hearn of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police, was shot and killed in the line of duty on January 25, 1988. Officer Davis had served with the New York City Police Department for almost nine years, working in the Manhattan Warrant Division, and was one of the original officers in New York City's Community Policing Program.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 6-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-8B0C36E9- 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 Davis gave the New York City Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Charles A. Davis 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 New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles A. Davis's cause is highlighted.
How Charles A. Davis Compares
Offender Outcome
Conviction overturned
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles A. Davis is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles A. Davis was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
