Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Potter drowned while rescuing his daughter and nephew from drowning. Patrolman Potter was off-duty and in civilian clothes at West Creak in Babylon, Suffolk County, when he heard his daughter and nephew, who was swimming the creak, scream for help. Patrolman Potter entered the water. His nephew was able to swim to the shore on his own, but Patrolman Potter's daughter needed assistance. Patrolman Potter grabbed hold of his daughter and began to move back to the shore. As he moved closer to the shore, he stepped into a hole and was unable to free himself. The water was above his head, so he held his daughter above the water so she could breathe. She called out for help, and two citizens jumped in the help. They were able to bring Patrolman Potter's daughter to safety, but Patrolman Potter Drowned. Patrolman Potter was assigned to traffic control on the Queens Borough Bridge. His daughter survived him.
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BO-US-NY-DA97705C- 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.
Patrolman Potter served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Potter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Charles D. Potter 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 D. Potter's cause is highlighted.
How Charles D. Potter Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Charles D. Potter is highlighted in Jul.
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.
