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Incident
Location: Pennsylvania Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to death
Patrolman Abner Braun was shot and killed during a vehicle pursuit on the Bensalem Pike (modern day Route 1), near the aviation field in Bustleton, Pennsylvania.
He was assigned to the Motorcycle Patrol Squad and had chased two men in a stolen car into Pennsylvania when he was shot and killed. Because of the absence of radio communications, Patrolman Braun's death was not known for several hours.
Both suspects were apprehended. One of the suspects admitted that he fired the shot that killed Patrolman Braun as he pursued them. That suspect, age 20, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on May 8thth, 1920, however, he died in prison on June 6, 1921 of natural causes. The other suspect was sentenced to 10-20 years in prison.
Patrolman Braun had served with the Trenton Police Department for twelve years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children and is buried in Riverview Cemetery, Trenton, New Jersey.
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.
Patrolman Braun gave the Trenton Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Trenton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Braun.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Trenton Police Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Abner is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Abner is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Abner is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 1 officer at Trenton Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1919, 4 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Abner was 40. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Trenton Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 36; the middle age was 29. Abner had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Abner was 40. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Abner had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Abner was 40. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Abner had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Abner was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Abner had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Trenton Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 20%.
May holds 6.4% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Tuesdays: 22.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Trenton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Trenton Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Abner among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Trenton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
