Harlow Douglas Meers

Rome Police Department — Rome, GA

Felonious

End of Watch June 10, 1972

Age 25

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 110 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Patrol Officer Harlow Meers was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a hit-and-run call that turned violent. Officer Meers was shot while coming to assist his partner, who was struggling with a suspect. Officers Meers and his partner had gone to a suspect's home at 102 Ohio Drive to continue conducting a hit-and-run investigation that had been interrupted earlier that night. Harris went inside while Meers waited outside. After entering the house, Officer Meers' partner was attacked by three men. One of the three family members struck Meers' partner in the head, another began striking him with a dog leash, and the third family member wrestled Officer Meers' partner for his gun. Hearing the fight, Officer Meers rushed inside to help as the suspect was able to get control of the revolver. The suspect then pointed the weapon at Officer Meers, who ordered him to "halt." The suspect shot Officer Meers in the stomach and then turned and shot the other officer in the hand. Officer Meers, though mortally wounded, drew his weapon and fired a shot that struck and killed one of the other suspects. The gunman fled out the back door while Meers' partner went to the patrol car to call for backup. A large group of city, county, state and auxiliary officers responded and searched the area for about 7 hours. They ultimately found the gunman hiding in the dark inside his home, which was next door to the house where the shooting occurred. Officers surrounded the house, and the gunman surrendered without further incident. He was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison. Officer Meers served three years with the Rome Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-GA-0A95474F
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harlow. Claim this record.

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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Meers gave the Rome Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rome community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Meers.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Rome Police Department

Location Rome, GA

Platform Identity rpd.floyd.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 10, 1972

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life in prison

Patrol Officer Harlow Douglas Meers is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Rome Police Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Rome Police Department

of 5 officers

100% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious