Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain Frederick Sauer was shot and killed after he and another officer responded to a report of a burglary at a store at 0530 hours. Captain Sauer covered the front of the store as the other officer covered the rear. As the two burglars came out of the front of the store one opened fire with a shotgun and fatally wounded Captain Sauer. Both suspects were eventually apprehended and charged with murder. Charges were dropped against one of the suspects. The other suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison December 10, 1934. He was paroled in 1969. On May 7, 1970, he was arrested in Des moines, Iowa, and charged with the theft of 64 money orders from a Colorado Springs, Colorado, post office. Four months later he was convicted of mail theft and sentenced to five years in the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-A5B951E2- 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.
Captain Sauer served with the Burlington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Burlington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Sauer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain Frederick William Sauer 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Burlington Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frederick William Sauer's cause is highlighted.
How Frederick William Sauer Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1969
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frederick William Sauer is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frederick William Sauer was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Burlington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
