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FIRST OFFICER DOWN   The true story of the murder of Northampton County Deputy Sheriff Nathan Ogden on January 20, 1771     by William B. Hillanbrand

Review written by Rory Morgan

In 1681, King Charles II of England granted an enormous tract of land, comprising today's Pennsylvania and Delaware, to William Penn, son of the late Admiral Sir William Penn. When the King and his advisers drafted the necessary documents, they carelessly included in Penn's grant some land along the Susquehanna River, in the vicinity of today's Wilkes-Barre and Wyoming Valley that the King had  already granted to Connecticut. It took 90 years, but this mistake ultimately led to a sad outcome - the first line-of-duty death of a Pennsylvania law enforcement officer, when Northampton Deputy Sheriff Nathan Ogden was shot to death on January 20, 1771.

The land was basically uninhabited. Connecticut had assigned the land to its Westmoreland County (which no longer exists) 19 years before, but had done little to occupy or utilize it. Eventually, in the 1750s, a shortage of productive farmland in Connecticut itself drove potential new settlers to explore it. Around the same time, Pennsylvanians (who had assigned this land to Northampton County) considered it to be available for settlement. The area seemed poised for growth, but the coming of the French and Indian War interrupted the process for almost ten years, by diverting the ambitious Connecticut and Pennsylvania men of military age out of the civilian economy.

After the war ended, the momentum toward settling the area returned. Both colonies had eager potential settlers moving in, at least in a disjointed fashion. Clashes occurred, and the large number of armed and combat-experienced veterans meant that fighting could become serious at any moment. Both sides built forts and then attacked those of the other side. Both sides turned to the legal system for support. On multiple occasions, sheriff's posses marched from Easton to the disputed area, in some cases returning with prisoners to the County Jail.

The back-and-forth was extensive and complex. It is well-described by the author, as is the actual murder of Deputy Ogden. For those with an interest in local history, the cast of characters is colorful, as well-known figures appear in the author's narrative or in the official records that he includes. William Parson makes a cameo appearance, as does King Teedyuskung, the colorful Native American diplomat.

John Jennings, plays an extensive part as Sheriff. Peter Kachlein and Robert Levers pass through. The Pennsylvanians participants were labelled the "Pennamites" and included the Ogden brothers. The Connecticut supporters were the "Yankees" and included the Lancaster-based Scots-Irish gang of the Paxton Boys, led by Lazarus Stewart, known for their murderous attacks on the pacified Indians who were sheltered by the Moravians and by various civil authorities. Even Benjamin Franklin and the Philadelphia authorities were concerned about the possibility of  further attacks by the Paxton Boys.

Deputy Ogden's death is still remembered and honored today. For decades, the Northampton County Chiefs of Police Association has presented an annual award, the Nathan Ogden Award, to a police officer who demonstrates "consistent integrity, professionalism and dedication throughout their career." The current honoree, named in 2025, is Bethlehem Police Lt. Michael DiLuzio.

First Officer Down is available in the Marx Room.