Age: 35
Served: 7¾ years
April 5, 1930 to January 27, 1938

Because of a series of robberies, Patrolman Laubach was assigned to a plain clothes stake-out in Pater’s Gas Station at Grand Boulevard and East Avenue on January 27, 1938.  Laubach had just arrived at the station at about 7:15 p.m. when a bandit entered.    A shootout ensued during which Patrolman Laubach was hit three times including the arm, chest, and head.  Patrolman Laubach fired two shots without effect.  His wounds proved fatal.

Patrolman Laubach was the son of Rudy Laubach, a former Butler County Sheriff.  He was survived by his wife, Marie, mother, Louise, and siblings Robert, Theresa, and John.  He was buried on January 31. 1938, in Greenwood Cemetery.

John W. Cline, 24, of West Elkton, signed a confession to the shooting Sunday, Feb. 20. He implicated his brother-in-law, Chester Francis, 19, West Elkton, as his driver. Cline admitted to four robberies in Hamilton, two of them at the station where Patrolman Laubach died.  Cline was executed in the Ohio electric chair Feb. 1, 1939, less than one year after the murder.  Francis pled guilty to first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

If you have further information, artifacts, or pictures of this officer, please contact the Museum Director at Director@GCPHS.com.