Herman B. Pahler
Agency patch
Patrolman

Herman B. Pahler

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Felonious
End of Watch March 8, 1933
Age 45
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
The Vigil Panel 65 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Herman Pahler was shot and killed by a man who went on a shooting spree with a .22 caliber rifle. The man was in a bank when he got into an argument with bank employees over banking matters and went berserk. He went and got a rifle, shot the bank guard, and then went out on the street, shooting citizens and Patrolman Pahler, who was directing traffic in front of St. Mary's Catholic School. Another officer shot and killed the suspect. Patrolman Pahler succumbed to his wound two days later. Two citizens were killed, and eight were wounded. Patrolman Pahler had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for 18 years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-A8DDE8F6
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Herman. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Pahler gave the Cleveland Division of Police 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Pahler.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Cleveland, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 8, 1933
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Age 45
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

Patrolman Herman B. Pahler is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,775 officers honored here.

In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.

Cleveland Division of Police
83
of 119 officers
69.7% Felonious
OH — Statewide
572
of 991 officers
57.7% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,775 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Herman B. Pahler's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Herman B. Pahler Compares

Age at Death
45
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
18
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herman B. Pahler is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herman B. Pahler was killed by rifle.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location