Brownsville Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Friday, March 9, 1945
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 9, 1945
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1964
Captain Basler was shot and killed when he and another officer responded to a prowler call on Levee Street. When they arrived on the scene they encountered a man walking towards the front of a house. The man opened fire when the officers told him to stop. The suspect fled but was arrested later.
On June 26, 1945, the suspect, 31, was sentenced to life. He was paroled on October 17, 1959, but sent back to prison a year later for violating his parole. He was paroled a second time on October 13, 1964.