Augusta Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Sunday, January 18, 1970
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: 88
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 18, 1970
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Jimmy Harris was shot and killed after responding to a report of a domestic dispute in which a mentally ill boy was shooting a shotgun at his family. As Officer Harris attempted to talk the boy into putting down the weapon the boy shot him in the chest, fatally wounding him. A neighbor was able to drag Officer Harris into a nearby apartment and called for assistance. Two other responding officers were shot and wounded.
On March 10, 1970, the boy, 16, was convicted of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and sentenced to life plus 20 years.
Officer Harris had served with the agency for 16 years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.