Harry J. Gray
Agency patch
Sergeant

Harry J. Gray

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch November 2, 1925
Badge 886
The Vigil Panel 50 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sergeant Harry J. Gray succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained five days earlier at 240 Englewood Avenue while attempting to arrest a man wanted for auto theft and for the murder of Special Agent Edwin Shanahan, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which occurred on October 11th, 1925. The suspect, Martin Durkin, had also been involved in the wounding of three other Chicago police officers. The officers stationed themselves at the offender's apartment and awaited his return. As the offender arrived, accompanied by his girlfriend, Sergeant Gray arrested him. However, the girlfriend suddenly produced a revolver and fired, fatally wounding Sergeant Gray. The couple were arrested. Durkin was sentenced to 35 years for the murders and 15 years for auto theft. Sergeant Gray had served with the 11th precinct.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-0859234F
Stewardship
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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.
Sergeant Gray served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Gray.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 2, 1925
Badge Number 886
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Sergeant Harry J. Gray 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.

Chicago Police Department
396
of 571 officers
69.4% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

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

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Harry J. Gray Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry J. Gray is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry J. Gray was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location