James G. Harney

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition — Washington, DC

Felonious

End of Watch September 23, 1932

Age 32

The Vigil Panel 65 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 34

Incident

Special Agent James Harney was shot and killed near Tamarack, Minnesota, while investigating a still. He and several other officers were searching the woods when he came across the still. While there a man approached and Agent Harney ordered him to stop. The man instead turned and started to walk back into the woods and Agent Harney followed him and called out to him. The man turned and fired two rounds with a .22 caliber rifle, fatally wounding Agent Harney. The subject then covered Agent Harney's body with leaves and brush. His body wasn't found until the next day. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison for second degree murder.

Survivors

Special Agent Harney was survived by his wife and two young sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FED-C99C939D
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.
Special Agent Harney served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Harney.

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

Agency

Department United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity usdjbpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 23, 1932

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; .22 caliber

Offender Sentenced to life

Special Agent James G. Harney 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition, 22 of 35 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.9% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition

of 35 officers

62.9% Felonious

DC — Statewide

754

of 1,419 officers

53.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious