Benjamin Gaughenbaugh
1935
Benjamin Earl Gaughenbaugh.
How He Died
Manner
Natural
Cause
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Mechanism
Bodily force
What Happened
Location: Illinois
Weapon: Person
Offender: Apprehended
Detective Benjamin Gaughenbaugh suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after struggling with a drunken male at the railroad depot in Beardstown, Illinois, on an excessively hot day.
He was able to place the subject under arrest and walked him to the Beardstown Police Department. As he was waiting to book the suspect, he suffered a heart attack and collapsed.
Detective Gaughenbaugh was a Canadian military veteran and served as a sniper in World War I. He had been in law enforcement for 12 years while serving as a four-term sheriff of Appanoose County and a guard at the Fort Madison Penitentiary, both in Iowa.
He was buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Centerville, Iowa.
Detective Gaughenbaugh was a Canadian military veteran and served as a sniper in World War I. He had been in law enforcement for 12 years while serving as a four-term sheriff of Appanoose County and a guard at the Fort Madison Penitentiary, both in Iowa.
Weapon: Person
Offender: Apprehended
Detective Benjamin Gaughenbaugh suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after struggling with a drunken male at the railroad depot in Beardstown, Illinois, on an excessively hot day.
He was able to place the subject under arrest and walked him to the Beardstown Police Department. As he was waiting to book the suspect, he suffered a heart attack and collapsed.
Detective Gaughenbaugh was a Canadian military veteran and served as a sniper in World War I. He had been in law enforcement for 12 years while serving as a four-term sheriff of Appanoose County and a guard at the Fort Madison Penitentiary, both in Iowa.
He was buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Centerville, Iowa.
Detective Gaughenbaugh was a Canadian military veteran and served as a sniper in World War I. He had been in law enforcement for 12 years while serving as a four-term sheriff of Appanoose County and a guard at the Fort Madison Penitentiary, both in Iowa.
Survivors
Detective Gaughenbaugh was survived by his wife, daughter, and father.
Service Record
Also Served
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department
Railroad Detective
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnkcx64z7s1ees11v8x8
Record added
August 2, 2026
neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by
neuraweb.nw
Last updated
August 2, 2026
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Benjamin. Claim this record.
Be the first to honor Benjamin.
Leave a Tribute