Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Harkins was shot and killed while investigating a burglary at a local business. Patrolman Harkins, along with his partner, Officer Quinn, were making "routine" checks of the business district when they discovered a break-in at McIntee Motors on Youngstown-Poland Road. They observed a broken window and that a desk in the office area had been ransacked. Officer Quinn entered the building and Harkins followed on the outside of the building until Quinn opened an overhead garage door to allow Harkins to enter the business. Officer Quinn spotted William Corey trying to hide behind a desk and a struggle ensued. Officer Harkins had moved to check a restroom. Just as Officer Harkins opened the restroom door, four shots rang out. Officer Harkins was shot twice in the chest and once in the abdomen. Officer Quinn, who was still struggling with William Corey, managed to subdue William Corey and managed to coax the shooter, John Corey, out of the restroom. John Corey was found to be armed with a Luger and had a 32 caliber revolver in his pants as well as the service weapon of the fallen officer. Both suspects were later convicted of 1st Degree Murder and sentenced to "Life" in prison. However, William Corey was paroled from the Ohio State Penitentiary on December 22, 1969, only 17 years after the murder of Officer Harkins. On November 08, 1972, Ohio Governor John J. Gilligan reduced John Corey's 1st Degree Murder conviction to 2nd Degree Murder making him eligible for parole. John Corey was paroled from the Chillicothe Correctional Facility on December 12, 1972, only 20 years after the murder of a police officer.
Survivors
Officer Harkins was survived by his wife, two daughters, his mother, and one sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-7C00F985- 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 John. 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.
Patrolman Harkins served with the Struthers Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Struthers community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Harkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Harkins 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Struthers Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Harkins's cause is highlighted.
How John Harkins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Harkins is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Harkins was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Struthers Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
