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Charles J. Cameron
Agency patch
Detective

Charles J. Cameron

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Accident
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch July 17, 1904
Age 49
Tour of Duty 16 yrs
The Vigil Panel 19 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Detective Charles Cameron was shot and killed by another Patrolman who mistook him for an offender.

Detective Cameron was at Fuhrer's Park, near 25th Street and Jackson Avenue in Queens, while working a plainclothes detail at a picnic that included a live orchestra. As the orchestra went on a break, several members of the crowd became irate and began fighting with the musicians. Detective Cameron moved into the crowd and identified himself as a detective. The disorderly subjects attacked Detective Cameron. Detective Cameron drew his revolver and fired two rounds, striking one of his attackers. The shots did not deter the crowd, and they continued to attack Detective Cameron, who was able to escape and crawl under the dance platform.

A uniformed patrolman arrived at the scene and was told a gunman was hiding under the stage. Unaware that the person under the stage was a fellow member of the department, the patrolman crawled under the stage and in the darkness ordered Detective Cameron to come out. After receiving no answer, the Patrolman fired one round, killing Detective Cameron. It is believed that Detective Cameron did not hear the commands due to his injuries from the attack and the noise from the people fighting.

Detective Cameron served with the New York City Police Department for 16 years. He was assigned to the 114th Precinct.

Detective Cameron was at Fuhrer's Park, near 25th Street and Jackson Avenue in Queens, while working a plainclothes detail at a picnic that included a live orchestra. As the orchestra went on a break, several members of the crowd became irate and began fighting with the musicians. Detective Cameron moved into the crowd and identified himself as a detective. The disorderly subjects attacked Detective Cameron. Detective Cameron drew his revolver and fired two rounds, striking one of his attackers. The shots did not deter the crowd, and they continued to attack Detective Cameron, who was able to escape and crawl under the dance platform.

A uniformed patrolman arrived at the scene and was told a gunman was hiding under the stage. Unaware that the person under the stage was a fellow member of the department, the patrolman crawled under the stage and in the darkness ordered Detective Cameron to come out. After receiving no answer, the Patrolman fired one round, killing Detective Cameron. It is believed that Detective Cameron did not hear the commands due to his injuries from the attack and the noise from the people fighting.

Detective Cameron served with the New York City Police Department for 16 years. He was assigned to the 114th Precinct.

Survivors

Detective Cameron was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Cameron gave the New York City Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Cameron.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch July 17, 1904
Tour of Duty 16 yrs
Age 49
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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1904, 28 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 116th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Charles was 49. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Charles J. Cameron

New York City Police Department · End of Watch July 17, 1904

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E

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