Fresno Police Department, California
End of Watch: Thursday, February 21, 1907
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 21, 1907
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Never charged
Officer Harry Van Meter was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary while conducting a business check near I Street and Inyo Street.
He had circled around the business and entered an alley when he was surprised by a suspect who shot him four times before fleeing. Officer Van Meter was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. The prime suspect in the case, although never brought to justice for Officer Van Meter's murder, was also the prime suspect in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Joe Price of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.
Officer Van Meter had served with the Fresno Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife and child.