Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Sunday, May 3, 1959
Age: 22
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 1 month
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 3, 1959
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 28 years
Officer Harold Shelton was shot and killed while chasing a shooting suspect through an alley near 7th Street and L Street, NW.
Officer Shelton and his partner were returning to the station at the end of their shift when a citizen reported the shooting. During the chase, the suspect hid in a doorway and shot Officer Shelton as he passed by.
The suspect was found guilty of Officer Shelton's murder and sentenced to 9 to 28 years in prison.
Officer Shelton had been employed with the Metropolitan Police Department for one year, and is survived by his wife and son.