On an early September evening in 1911, the life of a dedicated Buffalo police officer, Patrolman Charles E. Schaeffer, was tragically cut short in a violent confrontation. The 38-year-old, a respected 17-year veteran of the force, was dutifully patrolling his beat when he was alerted to a theft at a nearby wedding celebration. Witnesses reported that four men had made off with coats from the party, and a description of the suspects was circulated.
Later that evening, Patrolman Schaeffer
spotted three men at a saloon on Dingens Street, one of whom matched the description of the alleged thieves. Without hesitation, the officer moved in to make an arrest. As he took the suspect into custody, one of the man's companions aggressively demanded his release. When Schaeffer refused to yield, the situation escalated with shocking speed. The companion produced a handgun and fired at the officer.
In a final, heroic act, Patrolman Schaeffer twisted his body, shielding himself with the man he was arresting. The bullet tore through the suspect, killing him instantly, before striking the patrolman in the abdomen. The gunman, undeterred, fired two more shots at the fallen officer before fleeing into the night. Gravely wounded, Schaeffer heroically managed to drag himself to a patrol callbox to summon assistance.
From his hospital bed, the courageous officer was able to positively identify his attacker, leading to the assailant's swift arrest. The suspect was charged with first-degree murder, convicted, and subsequently executed for his crime on August 14, 1912. Patrolman Charles E. Schaeffer succumbed to his injuries two days after the shooting, on September 6, 1911, leaving behind a wife and nine children.
