Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police John Harden was shot and killed by the youngest of two brothers, 14 and 18, after they crashed their car, he and the county jailer were chasing, about a mile from Ellaville. Chief Harden and the county jailer engaged in a struggle with one when the second brother slashed the jailer in the face with a knife five times, requiring 144 stitches. He said he was holding the Chief's gun but dropped it as he fell on the ground during the slashing. The 14-year-old picked it up and shot Chief Harden five times, twice in the chest, twice in the face, and once in the back. The jailer was left permanently disfigured. On February 17, 1966, both brothers were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six years each. The youngest was to serve his sentence in a state training school. Chief Harden was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-1DDF843F- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Harden served with the Ellaville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ellaville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Alvin Harden served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police John Alvin Harden 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Ellaville Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Alvin Harden's cause is highlighted.
How John Alvin Harden Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 6 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Alvin Harden is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Alvin Harden was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Ellaville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
