Home Defense Officer Isaac B. Halbfinger

Isaac B. Halbfinger

Home Defense Officer Isaac Halbfinger was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to question a man at the corner of 9th Street and M Street, NW, during the 1919 Race Riots. The suspect immediately produced a pistol and shot Officer Halbfinger in the chest, killing him.

His partner then struggled with the suspect and was also shot and seriously wounded. The suspect fled the scene through an alley as he was pursued by a witness. Both officers were armed only with riot sticks, not guns.

Detective Sergeant Harry Wilson was shot and killed the previous day and several other officers were shot and wounded during the riots.

Officer Halbfinger was survived by his wife and two daughters. He is buried in Adas Israel Cemetery, Washington, DC.

Home Defense League officers were volunteer special officers who assisted the Metropolitan Police Department during WWI.