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Patrolman

Charles E. Schaeffer

Buffalo Police Department — Buffalo, NY

Felonious

End of Watch September 6, 1911

Age 38

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

The Vigil Panel 26 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 50

Incident

Patrolman Charles Schaeffer succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier when he attempted to arrest a man for stealing jackets from a party. On September 4th, 1911, Patrolman Schaeffer was patrolling his beat when he was told of larceny that had occurred at a wedding celebration. Patrolman Schaeffer was given a description of four men who had stolen coats from the party. A short time later Patrolman Schaeffer came across three men, one of whom matched the description of a suspect, at a saloon at 307 Dingens Street. He immediately placed the man under arrest. One of the man's companions demanded the release of the prisoner. When Patrolman Schaeffer refused, the companion drew a handgun and shot at the officer. As the shot was fired Patrolman Schaeffer turned his body in a way which caused the prisoner to be placed between the shooter and himself. The metal-jacketed bullet struck the prisoner in the heart killing him instantly. The bullet passed through the prisoner and struck Patrolman Schaeffer in the abdomen. After Patrolman Schaeffer fell to the ground the shooter fired two more shots into him before fleeing. Patrolman Schaffer was able to drag himself down the street in order to use a patrol callbox to send in an alarm. While hospitalized from these wounds Patrolman Schaeffer positively identified his assailant (who up until that time remained at large and unidentified). The subject was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He was convicted and executed at Auburn Prison on August 14th, 1912. Patrolman Schaeffer had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 17 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and nine children.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Schaeffer gave the Buffalo Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Schaeffer.

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

Agency

Department Buffalo Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Buffalo, Erie County, NY

Platform Identity bpd.erie.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 6, 1911

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Charles was 38. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded