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: 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.
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

Location Fresno, 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; .32 caliber

Offender Paroled in 1932

Sergeant James M. Hardenbrook 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 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

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

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious