Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Pearce was shot and killed during an escape attempt by a teenage boy he had just arrested. Officer Pearce and his partner had arrested three boys and two girls after a short car chase and transported them back to the police department on the first floor of the Buchanan County Courthouse. They put the three boys in an internal room with Officer Pearce's partner watching them and the two girls in an outer room. One of the boys jumped from a window when he was permitted to use the bathroom. The boy then retrieved a shotgun from the backseat of their vehicle, which had been transported to the police department. The suspect re-entered the department and pointed the shotgun at Officer Pearce. He then demanded that Officer Pearce remove his pistol with his left hand. As Officer Pearce complied, the boy shot him once in the chest with the shotgun. After freeing the two girls, the boy fled the scene but was later arrested. The 18-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He was the youngest murderer ever to receive a death sentence in Iowa. His sentence was commuted to life in 1957. In 2021, he died in prison. Officer Pearce had been with the Independence Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-6EEF7C34- 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.
Officer Pearce gave the Independence Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Independence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Pearce.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Harold Humphrey Pearce 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Independence Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harold Humphrey Pearce's cause is highlighted.
How Harold Humphrey Pearce Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life. Died in 2021
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold Humphrey Pearce is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harold Humphrey Pearce was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Independence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
