Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Monday, September 18, 1854
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: A1
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: September 18, 1854
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Patrolman Casper Lauer was stabbed to death while walking a suspect to the station after arresting the intoxicated man for fighting with his parents.
At the intersection of Jackson Street and Edina Place (currently known as Plymouth Court) the suspect began to struggle, produced a knife, and stabbed Patrolman Lauer in the left side with the blade passing between two ribs. Despite the wound Patrolman Lauer was able to strike two heavy blows to the suspect's head with his department-issued cane. The suspect fell to the ground bleeding profusely.
Patrolman Lauer secured the murder weapon and ordered the crowd not to let the suspect escape. After stopping a passing wagon Patrolman Lauer was taken to the nearest drug store where he died shortly thereafter.
The photograph of Patrolman Lauer was taken after his death and is the only known photograph taken of him.