Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch: Friday, October 20, 1916
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 20, 1916
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: 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. He was survived by his wife.