Incident
Town Marshal Leonard Geisler succumbed to injuries suffered the previous day when he was assaulted by a group of intoxicated men. Marshal Geisler had ordered the men to disperse earlier in the evening and when he confronted them a second time he was struck on the back of the head and knocked to the ground.
The man who struck him was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 1920. He was pardoned by Governor James P. Goodrich on January 10, 1921.
Marshal Geisler had served with the Hagerstown Police Department for only one week.
Town Marshal Geisler, On today, the 120th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Hagerstown.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) May 1st, 2025
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IN-694B95F4- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Geisler served with the Hagerstown Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hagerstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Geisler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Leonard Geisler is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hagerstown Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leonard Geisler's cause is highlighted.
How Leonard Geisler Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1921
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard Geisler is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonard Geisler was killed by blunt object; iron pipe.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hagerstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
