Chief August W. Haase

End of Watch : October 14, 1930

E.A. Lund town baker was sentenced to sixty days for the death of Haase. Judge Serle requested the Chief Haase bring in Lund for his repeated public drunkenness. He told Chief Haase not to struggle with Lund. Chief Haase was told if Lund didn't come peaceably he was to use his club. The Judge told Lund since he resisted and struggled with Chief Haase which caused Chief Haase exhaustion and his ultimate death, he was charging Lund with the death of Chief Haase.

Excerpt taken from the Fairmont Daily Sentinel, Wednesday, October 15, 1930

Stricken with a heart attack while discussing law enforcement problems, August W. Haase, 54 years old, chief of police in Fairmont for the past three years, died in the arms of Officer Henry Plenge at the city hall at 10:30 o'clock last night.

Complaining the past two days of pains in his side and shoulder and worrying over liquor conditions, the chief had been working many hours at night as well as in the daytime.

Physicians said the immediate cause of death was over-exertion in assisting with the arrest of E. A. Lund yesterday. Chief Haase had been ill with heart trouble, overwork hastens end.

Last evening after supper Chief Haase came to town and went to the picture show where he remained there for a couple of hours, then, as was his frequent custom, made a tour of the downtown district.

Although his duties for the day were over early in the evening, he went on duty, evidently for the purpose of when the opportunity offered to meet with Patrolman Plenge. Chief Haase was contemplating retirement from the force. To several Chief Haase had stated recently that he was much discouraged over the lack of cooperation by other city officials and the public in local law enforcement issues.

At 10:15 Chief Haase met a stranded stranger on the street who asked for a place to lodge for the night. The chief escorted him to the sleeping quarters in the city hall jail. A few minutes later Patrolman Plenge noticed from the First National Bank corner that the city jail lights were on. Not knowing that Chief Haase was still on duty he went at once to investigate. The lodger told him that another officer had given him permission to sleep there. As Plenge was leaving the building, Chief Haase called to him from the council room where he was sitting in a chair along the west wall. At 10:30 pm he died in the arms of Patrolman Plenge.

Lawrence C Jones

Roy Larson