Charles Lewis Cooper, Jr.
Agency patch
Patrolman

Charles Lewis Cooper, Jr.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA
Felonious
End of Watch August 17, 1925
Age 28
Tour of Duty 1 yrs 1 mo
The Vigil Panel 49 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Charles Cooper succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two weeks earlier while questioning two men in the 3300 block of East Carson Street at approximately 4:10 am. As he approached them one one of the subjects drew a revolver and opened fire, striking Patrolman Cooper twice in the arm and leg before he could react. Patrolman Cooper was able to walk to a call box where he alerted other officers to the shooting. He was taken to South Side Hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds. The gunman, age 26, was apprehended and charged with murder. The murder charge was dismissed when it was determined Patrolman Cooper died from a brain disease and not the gunshot wounds. Patrolman Cooper had served with the Pittsburgh Police Department for two years and was assigned to the West End Station.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-D90B48E8
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

You barely got started.
Patrolman Cooper gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cooper.

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

Agency

Location Pittsburgh, PA
Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 17, 1925
Tour of Duty 1 yrs 1 mo
Age 28
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; Revolver
Offender Charges dismissed

Patrolman Charles Lewis Cooper, Jr. 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, 45 of 101 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.6% of this agency's fallen.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
45
of 101 officers
44.6% Felonious
PA — Statewide
597
of 1,261 officers
47.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Lewis Cooper, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Charles Lewis Cooper, Jr. Compares

Age at End of Watch
28
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
1.1
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Charges dismissed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Lewis Cooper, Jr. is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Lewis Cooper, Jr. was killed by handgun; revolver.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location