Lieutenant Charles Kemmer, New York City Police Department, New York

Lieutenant Charles Kemmer

New York City Police Department, New York

End of Watch Thursday, December 22, 1927

Add to My Heroes

Charles Kemmer

Lieutenant Charles Kemmer was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress of a restaurant on Kassuth Place in Queens. Lieutenant Kemmer observed a vehicle idling in front of the restaurant and began to investigate. When he looked through the restaurant's window he observed the robbery in progress.

He immediately entered the restaurant and confronted the two suspects. One of the men opened fire, mortally wounding Lieutenant Kemmer. The two men fled as Lieutenant Kemmer wrote down the car's license plate number before collapsing.

The suspects were arrested as a result of the license plate number. One of the men was convicted of second degree murder. The second man was convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair on August 9, 1928.

Lieutenant Kemmer was assigned to the 54th Precinct, the modern day 104th Precinct.

Bio

Age Not available
Tour Not available
Badge No number

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Executed in 1928

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 9 Reflections

Posted on Thursday, Oct. 19th, 2023 Michael Gannon
Queens Chronicle News

Hero’s honor long overdue

On Dec. 22, 1927, NYPD Lt. Charles Kemmer was shot and killed as he attempted to interrupt a robbery at a restaurant in Ridgewood.

The city gave him long overdue honors on Wednesday, Oct. 11, dedicating the corner at 70th Avenue and Cypress Hill Street in his honor 96 years later.

Those in attendance included members of Kemmer’s family, representatives of the 104th Precinct, the Juniper Park Civic Association, the Newtown Historical Society, Councilman Bob Holden, the Lieutenants Benevolent Association and NYPD Patrol Borough Queens North.

Retired NYC Police Officer
NYPD

October 20, 2023