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Incident
Sheriff Mark Sensenbach and Deputy Harry Siegfried were shot and killed in Weisenberg Township while attempting to arrest a man for failing to pay a $2 fine for not sending his children to school. When the officers arrived at the farmhouse the man's wife told them he was not home but would not cooperate. As they began searching the property they observed the man walk into the woodline holding a gun. Sheriff Sensenbach called for assistance from the Allentown Police Department and several officers responded. As the Allentown officers arrived at the scene the man approached them and opened fire. Deputy Siegfried and Sheriff Sensenbach were killed and one of the Allentown officers was wounded during the initial shooting before the man barricaded himself in his home. The man was shot and killed by a posse as he attempted to flee into the woods after the posse set the house on fire. Sheriff Sensenbach was survived by his wife, son, and brother. He is buried in Union West End Cemetery.
Survivors
Sheriff Sensenbach was survived by his wife, son, and brother.
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.
Sheriff Sensenbach served with the Lehigh County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Allentown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Sensenbach.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lehigh County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Mark is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Mark is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mark 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 1926, 7 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mark was 38. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Mark was 38. 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.
Mark was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 10.5% of these deaths in PA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Lehigh County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.4% 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
Lehigh County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Mark among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Lehigh County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
