Roll of Honor
John Louis Beisser
Incident
Location: Pennsylvania Weapon: Handgun; Revolver Offender: Executed in 1917
Railroad Policeman John Beisser was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest two men for illegal train riding near West Fairview, Pennsylvania.
One of the men opened fire with a revolver, killing Policeman Beisser instantly, and critically wounding another railroad policeman with him. Railroad workers and West Fairview residents chased the suspects to the nearby shore of the Susquehanna River where they were apprehended.
The shooter was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair November 12th, 1917.
Policeman Beisser was a U.S. Army veteran of the Spanish American War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-3150B91C- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Railroad Policeman Beisser served with the Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphpia community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Louis Beisser served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Railroad Policeman John Louis Beisser 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%.
At Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department, 13 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Louis Beisser's cause is highlighted.
How John Louis Beisser Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1917
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Louis Beisser is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Louis Beisser was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
