New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, May 12, 1925
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 4 months
Badge Number: 11688
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: May 12, 1925
Weapon Used: Officer's weapon
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Charles Godfrey was inadvertently shot and killed after being mistaken for a suspect as he attempted to make an arrest while off duty.
Patrolman Godfrey observed a reserve officer and his wife being attacked. He took immediate action to apprehend suspects and, while in pursuit of them, was killed by friendly fire.
Patrolman Godfrey was a United States Army WWI veteran who had served with the New York City Police Department for one year, assigned to the 16th Precinct, the present-day 32nd Precinct. He was survived by his wife and three children.
He is buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery in the Police Arlington Gardens, Brooklyn, New York.