logo

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, May 27, 1933
12:45 am
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
Lincoln Way East between Bronson and Osbourne streets, South Bend
Incident County:
St. Joseph
Incident Township:
Portage
Weapon Used:
Gun (unknown type)
Suspect Disposition:
Killed by police

View all fallen officers from the
South Bend Police Department

Donate in memory of
Patrolman Charles F. Farkas Sr.

Share this Memorial

     
Patrolman
Charles F. Farkas Sr.
South Bend Police Department
Saturday, May 27, 1933

Panel 38W, Line 9
Panel L29, Line 8

   Patrolman Charles Farkas was shot and killed after he and his partner had observed a suspect wanted in the shooting of Patrolman Delbert Thompson.

   The 35-year-old man, whose vehicle he had been driving was stolen from Toledo, Ohio, and his passenger had been stopped by Patrolman Thompson. As he questioned them, he was shot and killed by the driver before fleeing on foot from the scene.

   About 20 minutes later, the suspect was seen hitchhiking east on Lincoln Way East. As Patrolman Farkas exited the squad car, the man opened fire and killed him. His partner, who was wounded in the exchange, returned fire and killed the suspect.

   The offender was wanted for an $80,000 robbery of a Cincinnati bank as well as bank robberies in Hicksville, Ohio, two in South Bend and another in Syracuse, Indiana.

   Patrolman Farkas was survived by his wife and four children.

Historical Note

• This incident was one of 24 which resulted in the line of duty deaths of two officers.


Personal Details

Age: 36
Law Enforcement Service:
2 years
Badge #: 32
Burial Place:
Hungarian Sacred Heart Cemetery, South Bend