Hazleton City Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Saturday, September 5, 1874
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 4, 1874
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Convicted of murder
Chief of Police Simon Clauser was shot and killed shortly before midnight while investigating the sounds of gunshots near the intersection of Broad Street and Mill Street.
He and an officer had encountered an intoxicated man while searching for the source of the gunshots. As Chief Clauser asked the man if he had done any shooting the man suddenly shot him in the chest. The subject was taken into custody by the other officer and charged with murder. He was subsequently convicted of second degree murder.
Chief Clauser was a Civil War veteran of the Union Army.