Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace … hero

Ret. Po ohara
Nypd mounted

July 22, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Trojahn.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2021

Thank you for your service and today we remind you and your family that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your LE brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 22, 2020

Charlie was the son of one of my best friends, who also flew a helicopter, his grandfather was a good friend of my dad, Anthony Russo, dob 1902. Charlie's dad, Charles J. Trojahn and I worked together for many years. Matt Rowley, a fellow pilot, I believe related to James Rowley in the mid-air over Brooklyn 7/22/1983, was also a great guy and a friend. My thoughts frequently dwell on all those mentioned above since I remember well the tradegies they endured. May Charley, James and Matt be remembered always by those who knew them.

Michael J. Russo, Pres/Dir of Operations
Northeastern Aviation Corp. FRG

December 18, 2016

He was my cousin. I wish I had got to know him better. I was about five or six years than he was. What a tragic loss. I remember that he was fun, handsome and charasmatic just like his Dad!

Bobbi Landrock
Cousin

July 15, 2016

It was my honor to research newspapers, magazines, online & books to find your ID CARD Photo. I found this photo in a 1983 New York Times Article about your heroic sacrifice. I felt it was necessary to have a photo on this website so that your family & friends can remember you. Rest Easy Hero! Always Remembered!

APO Christian Durante
NYPD: 68th Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit

February 5, 2016

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

January 15, 2013

Hey Pal, you've now been gone longer than you were here... but you haven't and will NEVER be forgotten. Although we talk everyday I thought today I should write a little something. It's only a couple of hours before I got that dreadful phone call after finishing a late tour 28 yrs ago. I thank you for watching over me, Karen, Kerry, and Kyle everyday. Keep up the good work!!! I love you and I miss you. You are ALWAYS in my heart and on my mind. GODBLESS and GODSPEED PARTNER

Lt. James A. Williams
N.Y.P.D.

July 22, 2011

I said a little prayer today for Police Officer Trojahn and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

July 17, 2009

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 2, 2008

No person goes unnoticed before God. Thank you for your service.

PO John Giordano (RET)
N,Y.P.D. 20th Precinct

May 2, 2007

I met Charlie in the New York City Transit Police Academy. Although we were only casual friends I was devastated when I heard the news of his death. He left an impression on me that has stuck with me throughout my career. I left the Transit Police for the Nassau County NY PD in 1985. In 1991 I joined the aviation section of that department. I retired from Nassau County Aviation in 2003. I can't help but feel that Charlie kept me safe all those hundreds of hours on patrol in the air. Keep flying high Charlie! Jim Williams was also a classmate of mine in transit. Reading his thoughts brought back a lot of memories.

OFC Henry A Ulrich
Key West Police Department

March 17, 2004

Charlie and I met on October 20, 1981 when we were assigned to the same company in the N.Y.C. Transit Police Academy @ 155 St. and 8th Ave. as new recruits in company 81-14... and immediately hit it off. Over the months we became very close friends, and we both decided to roll over to the N.Y.P.D.. We arrived @ the N.Y.P.D. Academy on 1/26/82 and lo and behold out of 3600 recruits we were once again assigned to the same company,82-63, and became like brothers. Charlie was a handsome,strapping guy who was as friendly and outgoing as he was sincere and honest. He graduated from the Academy of Aeronautics and was employed by Republic Aircraft. He spent his time @Republic building the A-10 Warthog, then was appointed to the Transit Police Dept. He always had a love for planes. While in both academys we would go to Floyd Bennett Field for driver training. We would always find time to walk over to Aviation and talk with the Aviation cops. They were very interested in having Charlie come aboard, but he would have to "pay his dues first" in the streets. This wasn't a problem for Charlie because he wanted to learn the "JOB".Which he did. In May of 82' we got together for some drinks because he wanted to tell me great news. He had gotten a call from Aviation (one of the most elite units in the N.Y.P.D.) asking if he wanted to transfer in. Believe it or not he wasn't sure because he was enjoying patrol and wanted to learn more. I myself had recently been transferred to Highway Patrol. After a long conversation and a little push he decided to transfer. I was able to visit him almost daily while on patrol and he was the HAPPIEST cop in the N.Y.P.D.. It was on the morning of July 22nd, 1983 I had done a late tour and got to bed at around 8:00... when about an hour or so later my phone rang, waking me up... it was Sean McMahon a fellow cop from our company...82-63 calling to ask and ultimately inform me about the crash and the death of Charlie and Jimmy Rowley. I can't tell you how devistated I was and still am today.It was the WORST day of my career, even worse then 9/11 because over the years I became used to tragedy...unfortunately... To Charlie, You are always on my mind and in my heart. It hurts me to think that you never got to meet my children, but through karen, myself and pictures they know all about you. I can only hope my son Kyle grows up to be as kind, honest, and sincere as you. We only knew each other for a year and a half, but to me it seemed like a lifetime, and I thank God for letting me meet you, and enjoy the great times we had. I can only hope that when my time comes... we get to find each other again... I LOVE YOU and MISS YOU LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS

LT.JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

We rode the F train together twenty years ago. You befriended me, gave me advise, and just talked to me. You were Mr. New York City and I was juat a guy from Detroit, Michigan trying to make it in the Big Apple. You will always be remembered by me and the other police officers that you touched with your personality. thank you and may god always smile upon you.

Det. Reginald Lockhart
NYPD