Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Florida
End of Watch: Sunday, November 5, 1972
Age: 49
Tour of Duty: 22 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 5, 1972
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Convicted of murder
Sergeant Harry Chapin was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three men for hunting at night.
As Sergeant Chapin and three other officers attempted to arrest the suspects in a wooded area off State Road 159 in Gadsden County, they were met with shotgun blasts. Two suspects were apprehended at the scene. The third suspect was apprehended at his home a few hours later.
All three suspects were brothers, ages 30, 32, and 34. The youngest suspect, who fired the fatal shot, was convicted of second-degree murder. Of the other two, one was convicted of manslaughter, and the other was acquitted.
Sergeant Chapin was in a similar situation in 1958, but the bullet lodged in his heavy-duty belt.
Sergeant Chapin was a World War II veteran and served with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission for 22 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.