Officer Charles Carter died from a gunshot wound he suffered two days earlier after responding to a report of an intoxicated subject with a gun.

   The man had been brandishing his gun and threatening citizens near Washington and Liberty streets. Upon his arrival, Officer Carter began chasing the man down Court Street.

   When confronted, the suspect fled toward a home and took a position behind a group of telephone poles. He opened fired with a revolver, striking Officer Carter in the chest, who then returned fire and struck the suspect twice before he fled the scene.

   Officer Carter was taken to City Hospital where he died from his wound two days later.

   The 28-year-old suspect was apprehended a month later at Central State Hospital, a state mental institution, in Anchorage, Kentucky and extradited to face first-degree murder charges. He was subsequently adjudged insane, committed to the Indiana State Prison and later discharged.

   Officer Carter was survived by his wife, 8- and 11-year-old sons and father.

The responsibilities of the Indianapolis Police Department (1854–2006) are now under the jurisdiction of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.