U.S. Army · United States

John Beisser

1916

Life Service Also Served In Our Keeping

John Louis Beisser served the U.S. Army.

How He Died

Manner Homicide

Cause Gunshot wound

Mechanism Firearm

What Happened

Location: Pennsylvania
Weapon: Handgun; Revolver
Offender: Executed in 1917

Railroad Policeman John Beisser was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest two men for illegal train riding near West Fairview, Pennsylvania.

One of the men opened fire with a revolver, killing Policeman Beisser instantly, and critically wounding another railroad policeman with him. Railroad workers and West Fairview residents chased the suspects to the nearby shore of the Susquehanna River where they were apprehended.

The shooter was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair November 12th, 1917.

Policeman Beisser was a U.S. Army veteran of the Spanish American War.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

Service Record

U.S. Army

Also Served

Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department

Railroad Policeman

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In Our Keeping

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Last updated August 2, 2026

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