Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Roof died of injuries he suffered three days earlier when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck a tree as he chased a speeding motorist. While traveling on Delaware Avenue around 4:30 p.m., he swerved to avoid hitting a bicyclist who was crossing the street. He struck one of the bicycle tires and flew off his motorcycle, hitting a tree. Patrolman Roof was transported to De Graff Memorial Hospital, where he died from a fractured skull. The bicyclist suffered from minor bruises. Patrolman Roof was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Tonawanda City Police Department for over three years. He previously served with the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-E7C7ED98- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Roof gave the Tonawanda City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tonawanda community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles F. Roof served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Charles F. Roof 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 Tonawanda City Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles F. Roof's cause is highlighted.
How Charles F. Roof Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Charles F. Roof is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Tonawanda City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
