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
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BO-US-PA-9E8E94AA- Stewardship
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- 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.
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 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%.
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
Offender Outcome
Committed
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; .25 caliber.