Marshal Sauer was killed when his patrol car was struck by a Chicago, Burlington and Quincy freight train at an unguarded crossing. Marshal Sauer just dropped off the police judge before being struck by the train at the crossing at the MFA building in Shelbina. The train struck the left side of the car just in front of the left rear wheel and threw it over 100-feet ejecting Marshal Sauer from the car.

Marshal Sauer served with the Shelbina Police Department as night marshal for two years before being elected city marshal in 1959. He was survived by his wife and three children.