Incident
Sheriff Harris was shot and killed when he confronted a robbery suspect on a train in Eau Claire County.
He was traveling to Elroy to take custody of another robbery suspect when he recognized the suspect on the train. The suspect on the train was involved in the same robbery as the suspect the sheriff was going to pick up. When Sheriff Harris confronted the suspect the man produced a revolver and shot him three times.
The suspect was also wanted for the murder of Policeman Fred Stevens, of the Havre, Montana, Police Department, the previous month.
On January 1st, 1905, a 26-year-old man convicted of murdering the mayor of Thompson, Illinois, on September 17th, 1904, was identified as the killer of Sheriff Harris. The mayor was shot and killed by the suspect as he assisted the local constable in arresting him for robbing a saloon. The suspect was sentenced to life in Joliet Penitentiary where he later died.
Sheriff Harris was survived by his wife and two sons.
Survivors
Sheriff Harris was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-E7E86B91- 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.
Sheriff Harris served with the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hudson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Harry Harris 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 WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry Harris's cause is highlighted.
How Harry Harris Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life in Illinois for murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Harris is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Harris was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from St. Croix County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
