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Incident
Captain Frederick Sauer was shot and killed after he and another officer responded to a report of a burglary at a store at 0530 hours. Captain Sauer covered the front of the store as the other officer covered the rear. As the two burglars came out of the front of the store one opened fire with a shotgun and fatally wounded Captain Sauer. Both suspects were eventually apprehended and charged with murder. Charges were dropped against one of the suspects. The other suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison December 10, 1934. He was paroled in 1969. On May 7, 1970, he was arrested in Des moines, Iowa, and charged with the theft of 64 money orders from a Colorado Springs, Colorado, post office. Four months later he was convicted of mail theft and sentenced to five years in the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Captain Sauer served with the Burlington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Burlington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Sauer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Burlington Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Frederick is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frederick 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 1934, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frederick was 39. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
Frederick was 39. 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.
Frederick was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 3.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Sundays: 10.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Burlington Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 11.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Burlington Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Frederick among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Burlington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
