Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Hartman was shot and killed while attempting to serve a mental commitment paper to a man at a house on Union Street at approximately 0900 hours. As Chief Hartman and the man's father approached the home the man opened fire with a .25 caliber revolver, striking the father. Chief Hartman attempted to knock down the door but was struck twice in the abdomen. The suspect was taken into custody by two citizens next to the police station. Chief Hartman was taken to Columbia Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds that afternoon. The father taken to the same hospital in serious condition. On September 11, 1923, the man, 21, was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed at the state mental hospital in Fairview where he died on April 15, 1971.
Survivors
Chief Hartman had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his six children and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-9E8E94AA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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.
Chief of Police Hartman gave the Columbia Borough Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Hartman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Harry S. Hartman 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 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 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry S. Hartman's cause is highlighted.
How Harry S. Hartman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry S. Hartman is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry S. Hartman was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Columbia Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.