Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Harry Van Meter was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary while conducting a business check near I Street and Inyo Street. He had circled around the business and entered an alley when he was surprised by a suspect who shot him four times before fleeing. Officer Van Meter was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. The prime suspect in the case, although never brought to justice for Officer Van Meter's murder, was also the prime suspect in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Joe Price of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. Officer Van Meter had served with the Fresno Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-52BB07F2- 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
You barely got started.
Officer Van Meter gave the Fresno Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Van Meter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Harry S. Van Meter 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Fresno Police Department, 8 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry S. Van Meter's cause is highlighted.
How Harry S. Van Meter Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry S. Van Meter is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry S. Van Meter was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
