Richmond Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Friday, June 25, 1971
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 25, 1971
Weapon Used: Handgun; .44 caliber
Suspect Info: Convicted of murder
Patrolman Harry Charlton was shot and killed while making a traffic stop at Ninth Street and Commerce Road.
During the stop, the driver suddenly produced a handgun and shot Patrolman Charlton in the chest. The suspect was later arrested and convicted of murder. Prior to the murder, he had boasted to friends that he was going to murder a police officer.
The suspect was released from prison in 2005 due to a terminal illness and died several weeks later.
Patrolman Charlton had been employed with the Richmond Police Department for 9 years. He was survived by his wife.