Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Samuel Minser succumbed to injuries sustained on March 2nd, 1918, while conducting an investigation in Lucerne Mines, Pennsylvania.
He and a deputy had gone to the town in disguise in an attempt to obtain evidence involving an illegal speakeasy. After checking several houses, they entered a fourth house where a party was being held. Detective Minser was recognized and knocked unconscious when he struck on the back of the head with a heavy object.
He was located in a field the following morning and taken to Indiana Hospital. The injuries caused complications to a preexisting medical condition and he died as a result on March 19th, 1918.
Detective Minser had served with the Indiana County District Attorney's Office for 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-4463A89D- 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.
Detective Minser served with the Indiana County District Attorney's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Indiana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Minser.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Samuel Lowry Minser 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Lowry Minser's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Lowry Minser Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Lowry Minser is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Lowry Minser was killed by blunt object.