New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Friday, July 22, 1921
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 6864
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: July 22, 1921
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Charles Potter drowned while rescuing his daughter and nephew from drowning.
Patrolman Potter was off-duty and in civilian clothes at West Creak in Babylon, Suffolk County, when he heard his daughter and nephew, who was swimming the creak, scream for help.
Patrolman Potter entered the water. His nephew was able to swim to the shore on his own, but Patrolman Potter's daughter needed assistance. Patrolman Potter grabbed hold of his daughter and began to move back to the shore. As he moved closer to the shore, he stepped into a hole and was unable to free himself. The water was above his head, so he held his daughter above the water so she could breathe. She called out for help, and two citizens jumped in the help. They were able to bring Patrolman Potter's daughter to safety, but Patrolman Potter Drowned.
Patrolman Potter was assigned to traffic control on the Queens Borough Bridge. His daughter survived him.