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Patrolman James E. Harper, Jr. | Memphis Police Department, Tennessee
Memphis Police Department, Tennessee

Patrolman

James E. Harper, Jr.

Memphis Police Department, Tennessee

End of Watch: Wednesday, February 12, 1964

Biographical Info

Age:
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: February 12, 1964
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Not available

Patrolman James Harper was killed when his patrol car was struck by a vehicle being operated by an intoxicated driver.

He and his partner observed a speeding car and were attempting to stop it when the suspect's vehicle turned in front of their patrol car at the intersection of S Bellevue Boulevard (modern-day Elvis Presley Boulevard) and Ledger Road at 2:05 am. Patrolman Harper was transported to the hospital where he died several hours later.

The vehicle that the officers were chasing was being driven by a man rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital because she had gone into labor. He was not charged.

Patrolman Harper had served with the Memphis Police Department for one year.