Patrolman Charles B. Teare

Charles B. Teare

Patrolman Teare died of gunshot wounds he received when he responded to the scene of a shooting in which Patrolman William Heaney was killed.

Patrolman Heaney was shot and killed when after responding to the sounds of shots being fired in front of 235 Mulberry Street, in Manhattan. When Patrolman Heaney arrived, he found that the suspect had just murdered another man. The suspect shot and killed Patrolman Heaney as he approached.

Patrolman Teare was shot and wounded after responding to the scene. When Patrolman Teare arrived, he observed a man with a smoking revolver, and when he attempted to disarm the suspect, the suspect fired two shots wounding Patrolman Teare. Patrolman Teare was removed to St. Vincent's Hospital where he died the next day from his wounds.

The suspect was apprehended several days later and sentenced to death. On June 21, 1916, only eight days before his execution date, someone smuggled a gun into him during a visit. In the early morning of June 22, 1916, the suspect called Guard Daniel McCarthy, of the New York State Department of Correctional Services, to his cell to bring him a slop bucket. When Guard McCarthy opened the cell door, the suspect shot him to death, grabbed his keys, and escaped from the prison.

The man was arrested a short time later and returned to Sing Sing Prison. He was kept sedated until being executed in the electric chair on June 30, 1916.

Patrolman Teare had been a member of the New York City Police Department for 12 years and was survived by his mother. He was assigned to the 12th Precinct, the present day 5th Precinct.