Policeman Charles Emerson Bogardus

Charles Emerson Bogardus

Policeman Charles Bogardus was shot and killed by a robbery suspect at a supermarket at 1451 Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Policeman Bogardus and his partner were the first on the scene after receiving a call about a robbery in progress. The two suspects spotted the officers and ran upstairs into an office. The officers entered the store and took cover. Policeman Bogardus yelled, 'Cover me,' and ran up the stairs toward the office. When he reached the top of the stairs, he kicked in the door and entered the office. A scuffle ensued in the office where one of the men grabbed his gun. As he headed back down the stairs, one of the suspects stood in the doorway and shot Policeman Bogardus as he ran down the stairs.

Responding officers arrived, and a 15-minute gunfight ensued. Paramedics rushed to Policeman Charles Bogardus' aid through the barrage of gunfire. He was transported to Central Receiving Hospital, where he succumbed to his wound.

Both suspects were shot and killed during the shootout.

Policeman Bogardus was a U.S Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.