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Incident
Police Officer Charles Bernoskie was shot and killed when he surprised two suspects who were burglarizing a car dealership on West Milton Avenue. The suspects remained unknown for 42 years until one of the two men confessed. One subject pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced to three years in prison. The second subject, who was already serving a life prison term for murdering a 16-year-old girl in 1969, was found not guilty after standing trial in 2001. He died in jail on the 50th anniversary of Officer Bernoskie's murder. Officer Bernoskie had served with the agency for 3-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Police Officer Bernoskie gave the Rahway Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rahway community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bernoskie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rahway Police Department has lost 9 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 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 1958, 3 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 41. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Charles was 41. 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 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 41. 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 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Fridays: 14.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Rahway Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 12.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Rahway Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Rahway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
