Charles E. Bogardus

• Rank: Policeman
• Serial Number: 3860
• Division: University
• Location: 1451 W. Washington Blvd
• Date Killed: Sunday, April 5, 1959
• Cause of Death: Shot by a Robbery Suspect

Rememberance

Policeman Charles Bogardus was shot and killed by a robbery suspect. He and his partner had spotted an armed robbery in-progress at a supermarket at Washington and Hoover. The two suspects spotted the officers and ran upstairs into an office. The officers entered the store and took cover. Policeman Bogardus yelled, ‘cover me,’ and ran up the stairs toward the office. When he reached the top of the stairs, he kicked in the door and entered the office. A scuffle ensued in the office. Then Policeman Bogardus ran out, without his gun, and headed back down the stairs. One of the suspects stood in the doorway and shot Policeman Bogardus as he ran down the stairs. Even though the hold-up men were armed with their own guns, they had taken the officer’s. Responding officers killed both the suspects in the shootout that followed.