Rahway Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch: Friday, November 28, 1958
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 3 years, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 28, 1958
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Arrested after 42 years
Police Officer Charles Bernoskie was shot and killed when he surprised two suspects who were burglarizing a car dealership on West Milton Avenue.
The suspects remained unknown for 42 years until one of the two men confessed. One subject pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced to three years in prison.
The second subject, who was already serving a life prison term for murdering a 16-year-old girl in 1969, was found not guilty after standing trial in 2001. He died in jail on the 50th anniversary of Officer Bernoskie's murder.
Officer Bernoskie had served with the agency for 3-1/2 years. He was survived by his wife and six children.