Officer Down Memorial Page

Remembering a fallen brother. Rest in peace brother you are gone but not forgotten.

Sgt. Scott Gagen
St. Louis Metropolitan Police
August 26, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 106th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was murdered on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

How wonderful that your descendants take such great pride in your legacy of honor and valor.
Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous
August 25, 2009

Captain Elias Hoagland was on the police force from 1911 to 1957. He became a precinct captain and Chief of Detectives, noteworthy accomplishments for a man with only a third grade education. Yes, he became a messenger and stable boy soon after his father was killed. His nickname was "camera eye" because he studied criminals' photos and would often stop suspects while walking down the street. His wife was an Irish woman, the former Mamie O'Shea. The SPORTING NEWS gave him a lifetime free subscription after giving that publication the story about his solving with his partner the sports issue that became known as the "black Sox" scandal. He used to give me the used issues of the Sporting News when my wife and I would visit him. I liked him a lot.

Relative
Relative
May 19, 2008

William Hoagland is a descendant of many generations of Americans that date back to the 1600s. The Hoagland family farm (on Manhattan Island) was the site of Revolutionary War skirmishes. William’s grandfather (William Fuchs) served as a Major in the Union Calvary during the Civil War.

William’s son, Elias William Hoagland was 14 years old when his father died. William’s commander hired his son as a “telephone boy” to help his widow survive the financial loss of her husband’s income. There were no survivor benefits in 1903. Elias became a policeman that would make his father proud. As a Detective Sergeant, he uncovered evidence that the visiting Chicago White Sox players were being controlled by professional gamblers touring St. Louis bookie establishments betting that the Sox would lose. In 1919 it was called the Black Sox Scandal. But the story of “Eight Men Out” does not mention that a policeman provided the evidence for the Commissioner of Baseball to ban dishonest players from the game. Captain Elias Hoagland retired (at 70) after serving the St. Louis Police Department for 56 years.

William’s grandson, William Elias (Bud) Hoagland, followed in the tradition of his father and grandfather becoming a St. Louis policeman in 1941. Bud had a bright future ahead. He was insistent that he be treated as a line officer in spite of his father position. Bud died of complications of hypertension (high blood pressure) in 1948.

William’s family has not forgotten him. His picture is on many office and den walls. He is remembered by his descendants that have not met him - but know him as we know ourselves. We have the badge (#344) that William Y. Hoagland wore. It is a tangible piece of our history that reminds us that our family includes an officer that went down in the line. We are proud of his service and sacrifice.

Bart Biernat
Great Grandson
June 14, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
May 11, 2006

You were my Great Grandfather.
You were taken before my father was born.
You were not forgotten, just lost for a while.
My grandmother (your daughter Caroline 8 when you passed) spoke of you to me when I was a child.
I have found you now.
Thank You for your service and sacrifice to our community and our country.
I am proud to be descendant.

Relative
N/A
March 9, 2006

God bless you. You are not forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police
June 9, 2005

10/29/04

Over 100 years have gone by since you were taken but you have not been forgotten. Rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County Illinois Sheriff's Dept.
October 29, 2004

By now your family have all lived their lives and passed on to be with you. Time goes on so it is my prayer that you were all reunited in heaven...God bless.

September 3, 2004