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John Claussen
Incident
Officer Claussen was stabbed to death by an inmate in the prison's print shop. The suspect was tried and acquitted October 29, 1954. Two Correctional Officers, who had witnessed the murder, each died of a heart attack a few days before the suspects trial began. The suspect was serving a double life sentence for the murder of a man and his wife in 1947. On June 7, 1966, he received another life sentence for stabbing a fellow inmate to death seven months earlier. He died in prison December 27, 2002.
Survivors
Officer Claussen was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Claussen served with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.
Thank you for your service to the Lincoln community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Claussen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1954, 1 officer at Nebraska Department of Correctional Services was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1912, with 4.
In 1954, 2 officers in NE were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 70. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Nebraska Department of Correctional Services whose age is recorded, half were between 54.3 and 64.5; the middle age was 59.
John was 70. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
John was 70. 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.
John was 70. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 16.7% of these deaths at Nebraska Department of Correctional Services; March holds the most, 50%. Fridays: 16.7%.
April holds 9.3% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Fridays: 16.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.2% of all 151 deaths in NE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 5.2% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has 7 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Nebraska Department of Correctional Services are honored on badge.nw.
