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Charles LeRoy Edinger
Agency patch
Patrolman

Charles LeRoy Edinger

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA
Felonious
United States flag Pennsylvania flag
End of Watch June 6, 1917
Age 33
Tour of Duty 10 yrs 7 mo
The Vigil Panel 75 · Column 2 · Line 20 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 100

Incident

Patrolman Charles Edinger was shot and killed while responding to a liquor store burglary at 3703 Fifth Avenue. Patrolman Edinger had responded to a call for help from the liquor store owner but had to retreat when the subject opened fire, wounding the store owner's 20-year-old son. Upon the arrival of other units, Patrolman Edinger entered the store through a rear window to flush the subject out through the front door. While fleeing out the front door, the subject shot Patrolman Edinger. Officers wounded the burglar, a deserter from the United States Army, as he exited the building. Patrolman Edinger was taken to Homeopathic Hospital, succumbing to his wounds several hours later. On June 23, the liquor store owner's son succumbed to his wounds. It was initially thought that Patrolman Edinger was killed in a case of mistaken identity. However, a coroner's jury discovered that the bullet removed from him did not match the caliber of weapon the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police issued. On July 12, the suspect was held by a coroner's jury and charged the suspect with two counts of homicide. The suspect was held on additional charges in September for entering a building with the intent of committing a felony and carrying a concealed weapon. On February 25, 1918, the suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder for the liquor store owner's son and second-degree murder for Patrolman Edinger. The suspect was given a death sentence handed down to the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court on March 10, 1919. The suspect was sentenced to death and electrocuted on January 5, 1920, at Rockview Prison. Patrolman Edinger served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for less than 11 years and was assigned to the Number 4 Police Station Oakland, present-day Zone 4 Police Station Oakland.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Edinger gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 10 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Edinger.

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

Agency

Department Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
Type Federal Agency
Location Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA
Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 6, 1917
Tour of Duty 10 yrs 7 mo
Age 33
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Charles is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Charles was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 10.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

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
V

His people

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has 101 officers remembered here, Charles among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Charles LeRoy Edinger

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police · End of Watch June 6, 1917

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E

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