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Incident
Sheriff Lauer was shot and killed in McCandless Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as he and a deputy transported a prisoner to the Western Penitentiary. During the drive near the intersection of Perry Highway and Pine Creek Road the suspect was able to grab Sheriff Lauer's .38 caliber service revolver. The sheriff then jumped into the backseat in an attempt to regain control of his weapon and subdue the prisoner. During the struggle the suspect shot Sheriff Lauer in the abdomen. The deputy was able to stop the vehicle and attempted to aid Sheriff Lauer, but was chased away from the scene by the suspect. The suspect fled on foot but was turned himself in 12 hours later during a massive manhunt. He was being taken to Western Penitentiary to serve a 4 to 10 year sentence for armed robbery. The 50-year-old suspect had been in New York and Pennsylvania prisons for the past 19 years. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on May 20, 1960. Three years later he was awarded a new trial and sentenced to life. He was denied clemency on May 8, 1973. Sheriff Lauer had served with the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his grandmother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Lauer gave the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sunbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Lauer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
James is the only officer of Northumberland County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
James is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1959, 3 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1959, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1959, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 53. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 53. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Northumberland County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Northumberland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.