Patrolman Charles E. Deininger

Charles E. Deininger

Patrolman Charles Deininger was shot and killed by two auto theft suspects during a stake out near the intersection of Winthrop Road and Washington Street, in Chelsea.

He was working on a task force involving officers from the Boston Police Department, Revere Police Department, and Chelsea Police Deaprtment, who were searching for a gang of car thieves. Five suspects were apprehended and two were charged with his murder.

One of the suspects was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison. On May 25, 1920, he escaped from prison with two other men. He surrendered to authorities in Middlesex County three months later. One of the other escapees was serving a life sentence for the murder of Patrolman Joseph C. Reiser of the Boston, Massachusetts Police Department on January 20, 1918. He was captured in Chicago on December 24, 1920.

Patrolman Deininger had served with the Boston Police Department for 13 years and had previously served with the Boston Fire Department for five years. He was survived by his wife and two children.