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Incident
Guard Samuel Van Auken succumbed to injuries sustained when an inmate beat him and another guard with a steel mop handle during an escape attempt from the old county jail, located in Stroudsburg at 34 North 7th Street. Four men had been arrested earlier in the day on burglary charges when state police caught them breaking into a Stroudsburg home and brought them to jail. One of the men, who was an escapee from a New Jersey reformatory, had given a false name in order to conceal his real identity. The man was escorted into the jail office after requesting to make a phone call. While in the office, the man attacked Guard Van Auken and a second guard with a metal broom handle. Guard Van Auken suffered fatal injuries, and the second guard was seriously injured. The jail's cook prevented the man from escaping after alerting Stroudsburg police and then attacking the prisoner with a chair. The 22-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He received an additional 3 to 7 years for attacking the other guard. Guard Van Auken was a World War II veteran and had served as the weekend jail guard at the Monroe County Jail for seven years. He also served in part-time capacities with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, East Stroudsburg Police Department, and the East Stroudsburg Area School District Police.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Guard Van Auken gave the Monroe County Correctional Facility 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stroudsburg community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Samuel W. Van Auken served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Samuel is the only officer of Monroe County Correctional Facility remembered here.
Samuel is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 6 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 61. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Samuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Samuel was 61. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 61. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Monroe County Correctional Facility. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Samuel W. Van Auken served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Samuel W. Van Auken’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
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