Roll of Honor
Ernest M. Harkins
Incident
Postal Inspector Ernest Harkins was shot and killed in the Main Post Office and Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was checking his post office box when a man walked up next to him and shot him in the back of the head. The suspect was upset at Inspector Harkins over the loss of two $20 money orders. The man remained at the scene and turned himself in after murdering Inspector Harkins. He plead guilty to murder on a government reservation and was sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on July 31st, 1971, at the age of 96.
Survivors
Inspector Harkins was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-8DB58FA8- 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.
Postal Inspector Harkins served with the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Postal Inspector Harkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Postal Inspector Ernest M. Harkins 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Postal Inspection Service, 6 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ernest M. Harkins's cause is highlighted.
How Ernest M. Harkins Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life imprisonment
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ernest M. Harkins is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ernest M. Harkins was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from United States Postal Inspection Service are honored on badge.nw.
