James M. Hardenbrook

Fresno Police Department — Fresno, CA

Felonious

End of Watch July 31, 1922

Age 45

The Vigil Panel 43 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Sergeant James Hardenbrook was shot and killed at 3:20 am after stopping a vehicle in front of 235 Broadway Street that contained a parolee and two escaped convicts from a state reformatory. During the stop the parolee opened fire with a .32 caliber handgun, striking Sergeant Hardenbrook one time in the chest. The men were all apprehended and the shooter was sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in 1932.

Survivors

Sergeant Hardenbrook was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-6A670C09
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 James. 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.
Sergeant Hardenbrook served with the Fresno Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hardenbrook.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Fresno Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Fresno, Fresno County, CA

Platform Identity frespd.fresno.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 31, 1922

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Sergeant James M. Hardenbrook 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.

Fresno Police Department

of 15 officers

53.3% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious