Prev
Incident
Officer Harry Gibson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an AWOL soldier from Ft. Benning. The soldier and another man with him both produced handguns and fatally shot Officer Gibson. Both suspects were later shot and killed by other officers. Officer Gibson was a United States Navy veteran. He was survived by his wife, four children, mother, sister, and brother. Officer Gibson's father, Nelson Gibson, was shot and killed in the line of duty on September 12, 1915, while also serving as a police officer for the Columbus Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, mother, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpezg9vaxtjax17kkev9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harry. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Harry is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Gibson served with the Columbus Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Harry C. Gibson served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Columbus Police Department has lost 26 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Harry is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1943, 1 officer at Columbus Police Department was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1896, with 3.
In 1943, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1943, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1943, 86 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 33. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Columbus Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41; the middle age was 33.
Harry was 33. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Harry was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Harry was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 21.1% of these deaths at Columbus Police Department; October holds the most, 21.1%. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
April holds 9.3% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.1% of all 26 deaths at Columbus Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 36.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Columbus Police Department has 26 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
-
Matthew W. Murphy
Dec 26, 1874
-
Richard M. Adams Oct 14, 1896
-
Charlie J. Roberts Oct 14, 1896
-
William Jackson Oct 14, 1896
-
N. G. Osborn Jan 31, 1901
-
William S. Elliott Mar 27, 1901
-
Marion Marchant Apr 17, 1911
-
Nelson Harrison Gibson Sep 12, 1915
-
Charles B. Harvey May 20, 1920
-
James W. Stokes May 22, 1920
-
William G. Pate Feb 5, 1921
-
Ernest S. Evans Oct 25, 1935
-
Harry C. Gibson
Apr 6, 1943
-
Sumpter Burns Nov 6, 1946
-
Jack E. Boone, Sr.
Feb 15, 1973
-
Robert Gray Vining
Apr 21, 1976
-
Billy Ray Watson, Sr.
Dec 28, 1976
-
James Neal Bowers
Apr 4, 1979
-
Thomas M. Bowen
Mar 11, 1984
-
Clois Willard Lamb
Dec 12, 1989
-
Shirley Denise Winston
Dec 31, 1990
-
Sife Perdue
Jan 5, 1994
-
Charles Edward Osborne, Jr.
Aug 8, 1994
-
Robert Tyrone Kearse, Sr.
May 11, 2006
-
Thomas Keith Slay
Jul 30, 2013
-
Richard Arnold McMahan
Oct 13, 2021
Military Service
Harry C. Gibson served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Harry C. Gibson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Columbus Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
