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Oscar Schneider
Incident
Chief of Police Oscar Schneider died as a result of complications from influenza while performing his assigned duties during the Influenza Pandemic.
During the pandemic, Chief of Police Schneider was serving as the borough's Health Officer when their only health officer contracted influenza. As he was serving in both capacities, he became ill and was taken to his home on East Clay Avenue, where he died due to complications of influenza three days later.
The West Hazleton Borough Police Department was tasked with enforcing local health laws to help prevent the spread of influenza and with performing its regular police duties.
Chief of Police Schneider served with the West Hazleton Borough Police Department for nine months.
The 1918 Influenza Pandemic
Chief of Police Oscar Schneider died on October 28, 1918 of influenza contracted in the line of duty. He was 30.
He is one of 201 officers honored here.
The influenza pandemic of 1918 killed more people worldwide than the war that preceded it. Police officers worked it without vaccines, without antibiotics, and often without masks, enforcing quarantines, transporting the sick, and standing posts in cities where the dead outpaced the undertakers.
They caught it doing the job. There was no treatment to give them.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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
No vaccine, no antibiotics, and you stood the post anyway.
Chief of Police Schneider served with the West Hazleton Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the West Hazleton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Schneider.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Oscar is the only officer of West Hazleton Borough Police Department remembered here.
Oscar is one of 121 officers lost to illness in PA, 9.6% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Oscar is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Oscar is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 66 officers in PA were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 226 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1918, 235 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Oscar was 30. Of the 121 lost to illness in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 50; the middle age was 39. Oscar had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 9.4 years.
Oscar was 30. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Oscar had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Oscar was 30. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Oscar had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
October holds 49.6% of these deaths in PA, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.9%.
October holds 14.9% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.2%.
October holds 12.6% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at West Hazleton Borough Police Department.
Illness deaths account for 9.6% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from West Hazleton Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.