Sergeant Hauer was shot and killed during an undercover operation after receiving information that a local business owner was going to be robbed at his home. Sergeant Hauer, posing as the business owner, was confronted by the suspects in the owner's garage. The suspect opened fire, striking Sergeant Hauer in the head.
The man was arrested and confessed to murdering Sergeant Hauer.
Sergeant Hauer had served with the Flint Police Department for a total of 4 years. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran and was survived by his mother and two brothers.