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Incident
Patrolman Charles Finn was shot and killed while chasing three men he caught burglarizing a grain store near the intersection of Ninth Street and Franklin Street at 2:30 a.m. When he witnessed the suspects fleeing from the flour and feed store of Strunk & Moyer, he began to chase the three men when one suddenly turned and shot him in the abdomen with a revolver. Patrolman Finn succumbed to his wound 11 hours later. The suspect was later apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Patrolman Finn had served with the Reading Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother and siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Finn gave the Reading Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reading community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Finn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Reading Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1905, 1 officer at Reading Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1905, 7 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 28. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Reading Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 47; the middle age was 40. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Charles was 28. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 28. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Reading Police Department; September holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 20%.
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Reading Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Reading Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Reading Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
