Harry H. Aurandt

Tulsa Police Department — Tulsa, OK

Felonious

End of Watch December 20, 1921

Age 47

The Vigil Panel 42 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 41

Incident

Officer Harry Aurandt died of wounds he sustained when he was shot while off duty as he was taking police action. Officer Aurandt and a detective were rabbit hunting in a rural area of Tulsa on Federal Road. At about 9:00 pm the officers had returned to their car when they were approached by three armed men who exited a Buick touring car with the intent of robbing them. The detective attempted to fire his shotgun at them, but it misfired. The three men started shooting at the officers while they were sitting in their car. Officer Aurandt, despite serious wounds in one lung, leg, and liver, drove one mile to a farmhouse where he collapsed. Officer Aurandt died from his wounds two days later. The detective was paralyzed for life from leg wounds just above the knees. The three suspects were later apprehended. Two were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. One escaped from the Oklahoma Penitentiary in 1923. On May 17, 1931, he was captured in Los Angeles, California, following a spectacular gun battle with Los Angeles police officers. Officer Aurandt was survived by his wife, daughter, and two-year-old son. His son, Paul Harvey Aurandt, later known as just Paul Harvey became a famous commentator, author, and columnist. Officer Aurandt was buried at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Survivors

Officer Aurandt was survived by his wife, daughter, and two-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OK-11CB9B2E
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.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Aurandt served with the Tulsa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tulsa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Aurandt.

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

Agency

Department Tulsa Police Department

Location Tulsa, OK

Platform Identity tpd.tulsa.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 20, 1921

Age 47

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life in prison

Officer Harry H. Aurandt 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Tulsa Police Department, 30 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.

Tulsa Police Department

of 42 officers

71.4% Felonious

OK — Statewide

403

of 582 officers

69.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious