Princeton Borough Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch: Saturday, February 2, 1946
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 2, 1946
Weapon Used: Handgun; Luger
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 30 years
Patrol Officer Walter Harris was shot and killed while responding to the sounds of gunfire at a social club near his home on John Street.
Upon arriving at the location he was shot and killed. Three subjects were arrested and charged in connection with his murder. Two, ages 19 and 20, were convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 to 30 years. One was paroled in 1952. The other was paroled in 1957. In 1968 he shot and killed a man in New York City. He was arrested after a shoot-out with two New York Transit police officers. He was convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to prison, and released in 1981.
Officer Harris had served with the Princeton Borough Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and two children.