Baltimore City Police Department, Maryland
End of Watch: Wednesday, January 20, 1965
Age: 44
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Date of Incident: June 13, 1964
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Police Officer Charles Ernest succumbed to injuries sustained seven months earlier when he was crushed between two cars while directing traffic at the scene of an accident at the intersection of Pearl Street and Saratoga Street.
His partner was interviewing the drivers involved in the accident as Officer Ernest was directing traffic around the two vehicles. His partner requested that one of the drivers move his vehicle out of the travel lane. As the man attempted to do so, he inadvertently put the car in drive instead of reverse. The car lurched forward and pinned Officer Ernest and a citizen between the two cars. Both men sustained broken hips and other injuries.
Officer Ernest remained at home on sick leave as a result of his injuries for 221 days. A blood clot, which had formed as a result of the injuries, moved to his heart, causing him to go into cardiac arrest. He was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.
Officer Ernest was a WWII veteran and had served with the Baltimore Police Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.