Charles D. Potter
Agency patch
Patrolman

Charles D. Potter

Accident
End of Watch July 22, 1921
Badge 6864
The Vigil Panel 41 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Charles Potter drowned while rescuing his daughter and nephew from drowning. Patrolman Potter was off-duty and in civilian clothes at West Creak in Babylon, Suffolk County, when he heard his daughter and nephew, who was swimming the creak, scream for help. Patrolman Potter entered the water. His nephew was able to swim to the shore on his own, but Patrolman Potter's daughter needed assistance. Patrolman Potter grabbed hold of his daughter and began to move back to the shore. As he moved closer to the shore, he stepped into a hole and was unable to free himself. The water was above his head, so he held his daughter above the water so she could breathe. She called out for help, and two citizens jumped in the help. They were able to bring Patrolman Potter's daughter to safety, but Patrolman Potter Drowned. Patrolman Potter was assigned to traffic control on the Queens Borough Bridge. His daughter survived him.

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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 Potter served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Potter.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 22, 1921
Badge Number 6864
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Charles is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

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

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1921, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Charles among them.

Across the years
V

Where

Patrolman Charles D. Potter

New York City Police Department · End of Watch July 22, 1921

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W

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