George E. Claus

Buffalo Police Department — Buffalo, NY

Felonious

End of Watch November 19, 1912

Age 47

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

The Vigil Panel 27 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 50

Incident

Patrolman George Claus was shot and killed after breaking up a disturbance. Three men had tried to enter a wedding reception that was had already started. When they were turned away they began to vandalize a fence in front of a nearby residence. Patrolman Claus, who was across the street, was immediately summoned. Patrolman Claus instructed the three to “move along.” As the three walked in one direction Patrolman Claus turned to go the opposite way. However, the three turned and ran after Patrolman Claus. Two of the suspects grabbed him around his waist while the third suspect wrestled his service revolver from him. The third suspect put the revolver to Patrolman Claus' face and fired, killing him instantly. The suspect was apprehended and charged with Patrolman Claus' murder. He was convicted of the murder and executed at Auburn Prison on June 4th, 1913. Patrolman Claus had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 17 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and six children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-411C8936
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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.
Patrolman Claus gave the Buffalo Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Claus.

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

Agency

Department Buffalo Police Department

Location Buffalo, NY

Platform Identity bpd.erie.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 19, 1912

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

Age 47

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Executed in 1913

Patrolman George E. Claus 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Buffalo Police Department, 22 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.1% of this agency's fallen.

Buffalo Police Department

of 51 officers

43.1% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious