Harry Biddington Hanson, Jr.

Anchorage Police Dept. — Anchorage, AK

Felonious

End of Watch July 17, 1986

Age 41

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

The Vigil Panel 131 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Police Officer Harry Hanson was shot and killed while searching for a suspect who had shot at another officer. After shooting at the first officer, the suspect stole her cruiser and fled. He crashed into a wall and began fleeing on foot. Officer Hanson arrived, leaving his canine in his cruiser, and began tracking the suspect with a second canine officer. As they approached the suspect's hiding place, he opened fire, striking Officer Hanson in the neck. Other officers returned fire, striking the suspect several times. The suspect was arrested and sentenced to 119 years. Officer Hanson had served with the Anchorage Police Department for eight years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and five children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AK-0530ED59
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Hanson gave the Anchorage Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Anchorage community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Hanson.

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

Agency

Department Anchorage Police Dept.

Location Anchorage, AK

Platform Identity apd.anchorage.ak.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 17, 1986

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to 119 years

Patrol Officer Harry Biddington Hanson, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In AK, 35 of 50 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this state's fallen. That is 15.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Anchorage Police Dept., 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.

Anchorage Police Dept.

of 10 officers

90% Felonious

AK — Statewide

of 50 officers

70% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious