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Incident
Detective Samuel Minser succumbed to injuries sustained on March 2nd, 1918, while conducting an investigation in Lucerne Mines, Pennsylvania.
He and a deputy had gone to the town in disguise in an attempt to obtain evidence involving an illegal speakeasy. After checking several houses, they entered a fourth house where a party was being held. Detective Minser was recognized and knocked unconscious when he struck on the back of the head with a heavy object.
He was located in a field the following morning and taken to Indiana Hospital. The injuries caused complications to a preexisting medical condition and he died as a result on March 19th, 1918.
Detective Minser had served with the Indiana County District Attorney's Office for 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Minser served with the Indiana County District Attorney's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Indiana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Minser.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Samuel is the only officer of Indiana County District Attorney's Office remembered here.
Samuel is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 16 officers in PA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 40. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Samuel had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Samuel was 40. 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. Samuel had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Indiana County District Attorney's Office. The weapon recorded was blunt object, 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 blunt object, in 1.5% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Indiana County District Attorney's Office are honored on badge.nw.