Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph Lauer was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man suspected of robbing a service station. He encountered the subject at the intersection of Dewalt Avenue and 3rd Street, NW, where the two exchanged shots. Patrolman Lauer was fatally wounded but was able to wound the suspect. The subject was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Lauer's murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 12, 1928. He was paroled on August 26, 1960.
Survivors
Patrolman Lauer was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-347EAA39- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Lauer served with the Canton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Canton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lauer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph Lauer 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 97,772 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 Canton Police Department, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Lauer's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Lauer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Lauer is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Lauer was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Canton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
