Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrol Officer Walter Harris was shot and killed while responding to the sounds of gunfire at a social club near his home on John Street. Upon arriving at the location he was shot and killed. Three subjects were arrested and charged in connection with his murder. Two, ages 19 and 20, were convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 to 30 years. One was paroled in 1952. The other was paroled in 1957. In 1968 he shot and killed a man in New York City. He was arrested after a shoot-out with two New York Transit police officers. He was convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to prison, and released in 1981. Officer Harris had served with the Princeton Borough Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-1E7345F4- 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.
Patrol Officer Harris gave the Princeton Borough Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Princeton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer Walter B. Harris 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 NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter B. Harris's cause is highlighted.
How Walter B. Harris Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter B. Harris is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter B. Harris was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Princeton Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.