Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Charles Harris was killed when he and his partner were ambushed by a hidden gunman behind the Roosevelt School in Balboa Park. He and a female detective, along with a second set of detectives, were posing as couples while staking out the area due to recent robberies. They were parked in a car when a subject approached, shined a light inside, and immediately opened fire. Detective Harris returned fire as the suspect ran away, but did not hit him. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The murder of Detective Harris was never solved. Detective Harris had served with the San Diego Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and a 10-year-old niece.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-CC171EE9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Harris gave the San Diego Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Charles R. Harris is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At San Diego Police Department, 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles R. Harris's cause is highlighted.
How Charles R. Harris Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles R. Harris is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles R. Harris was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from San Diego Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
