Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Harry Donahue was shot and killed in front of 1926 Brandywine Street by a man he was trying to arrest. The killer had been out of prison for only one month. The suspect was convicted of Officer Donahue's murder and subsequently executed on July 3rd, 1935. Policeman Donahue was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI. He was a Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart recipient. He served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 7½ years and was assigned to the 9th District.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-6A9D481C- 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 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.
Policeman Donahue gave the Philadelphia Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia 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 J. Donahue served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman Harry J. Donahue 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry J. Donahue's cause is highlighted.
How Harry J. Donahue Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1935
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry J. Donahue is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry J. Donahue was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
