Incident
Officer Bauer was killed when he was intentionally run off the road while attempting to stop a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle had been stolen and the occupants were wanted for the shooting of another officer two days earlier. As Officer Bauer attempted to stop the vehicle the driver intentionally struck the rear of his motorcycle, forcing him through a guard rail and down a 40-foot embankment. Officer Bauer was transported to Emergency Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at 0200 hours.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 17, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Bauer served with the Cheektowaga Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cheektowaga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bauer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cheektowaga Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 10 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 32. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35.
John was 32. 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.
John was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 8.9% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Fridays: 14.7%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Cheektowaga Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cheektowaga Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Cheektowaga Police Department are honored on badge.nw.


