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Charles Brendon Cavanaugh
Incident
Chief of Police Charles Cavanaugh was shot and killed from ambush.
Chief Cavanaugh was investigating the scene of a fire when an intoxicated man who was angry that the Chief had issued his wife a summons for a motor vehicle violation, suddenly opened fire with a handgun. Chief Cavanaugh was shot several times and succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The killer was tried for the murder in 1934 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He died in prison on August 20, 1936, of kidney failure and heart disease.
Chief Cavanaugh was 29 years old at the time of his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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.
Chief of Police Cavanaugh gave the Bernardsville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bernardsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Cavanaugh.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Bernardsville Police Department remembered here.
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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 3 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 29. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Charles was 29. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 29. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 23.9% of these deaths in NJ, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 22.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bernardsville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.5% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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