Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant Harry Wilson was shot and killed while he and his partner responded to a report of a person shooting from a window at 220 G Street, NW, during the 1919 Race Riots. As the detectives reached the second floor of the home Sergeant Wilson was shot in the heart by the suspect who was hiding under a bed. Sergeant Wilson's partner was able to return fire and wounded the 17-year-old female suspect. The suspect was taken into custody, and convicted, but was released in 1921. Home Defense Officer Isaac Halbfinger was shot and killed in a separate incident during the riots the following the day. Several other officers were also shot and wounded during the riots. Sergeant Wilson had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child and is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Washington, DC.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-B81D9C43- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Detective Sergeant Wilson gave the Metropolitan Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant Harry Wilson 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 DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How Harry Wilson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Wilson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Wilson was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
130 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
