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Incident
Patrol Driver Charles Platner was accidentally shot and killed when his partner's gun fell from its holster and discharged during a foot pursuit.
The two officers had responded to a burglary on Oakland Avenue and encountered the suspect, who fled on foot. The two officers chased the man, and as the partner climbed a fence, his revolver fell from its holster, struck the ground, and discharged. The round struck Patrolman Platner in the chest. He was transported to General Hospital, where he died of his wound the next day.
Patrolman Platner was survived by his wife and daughter.
Survivors
Patrolman Platner was survived by his wife and daughter.
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.
Patrol Driver Platner served with the Council Bluffs Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Council Bluffs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Driver Platner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Council Bluffs Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% 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 in IA was lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 1905, 16 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 127th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1905, 24 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 125th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 49. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38.
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 was 49. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
September holds 8.5% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Sundays: 18.3%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Council Bluffs Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Council Bluffs Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Council Bluffs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
