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Incident
Patrolman Joseph Lauer was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man suspected of robbing a service station. He encountered the subject at the intersection of Dewalt Avenue and 3rd Street, NW, where the two exchanged shots. Patrolman Lauer was fatally wounded but was able to wound the suspect. The subject was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Lauer's murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 12, 1928. He was paroled on August 26, 1960.
Survivors
Patrolman Lauer was survived by his wife and two children.
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 Lauer served with the Canton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Canton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lauer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Canton Police Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1928, 1 officer at Canton Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1928, 15 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 32. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Canton Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 36.8; the middle age was 32.
Joseph was 32. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 32. 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.
Joseph was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Canton Police Department; July holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 40%.
June holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Canton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Canton Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Canton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
