Harry Charlton, III
Agency patch
Patrolman

Harry Charlton, III

Richmond Police Department — Richmond, VA
Felonious
End of Watch June 25, 1971
Age 27
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 108 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Harry Charlton was shot and killed while making a traffic stop at Ninth Street and Commerce Road. During the stop, the driver suddenly produced a handgun and shot Patrolman Charlton in the chest. The suspect was later arrested and convicted of murder. Prior to the murder, he had boasted to friends that he was going to murder a police officer. The suspect was released from prison in 2005 due to a terminal illness and died several weeks later. Patrolman Charlton had been employed with the Richmond Police Department for 9 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-E513E63B
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 Harry. 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.
Patrolman Charlton gave the Richmond Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Charlton.

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

Agency

Location Richmond, VA
Platform Identity rpd.richmond.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 25, 1971
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; .44 caliber
Offender Convicted of murder

Patrolman Harry Charlton, III 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Richmond Police Department, 20 of 40 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Richmond Police Department
20
of 40 officers
50% Felonious
VA — Statewide
395
of 654 officers
60.4% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry Charlton, III's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Harry Charlton, III Compares

Age at End of Watch
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Convicted of murder

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Charlton, III is highlighted in Jun.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Charlton, III was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location