Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Charles Dewees was killed when the horses pulling his patrol wagon were spooked by a sheet of paper that blew against their legs on Germantown Avenue, in front of the police station. He was thrown to the paving and suffered a broken neck. Policeman Dewees served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 28 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons, who were serving in the Army in World War I.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-47A98BEF- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Policeman Dewees gave the Philadelphia Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Dewees.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Charles Francis Dewees 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 PA, 417 of 1,261 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 110 of 378 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 29.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Francis Dewees's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Francis Dewees Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Francis Dewees is highlighted in Jan.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
