Incident
Marshal John Harris succumbed to wounds he suffered two days earlier while attempting to arrest two burglary suspects. Marshal Harris was investigating a report of a burglary at a blacksmith shop when two subjects exited the business. As Marshal Harris began chasing the subjects on foot, he was struck by gunfire from a pistol by one of the suspects. Marshal Harris succumbed to his wounds two days later. The suspects fled the scene and were never apprehended. A day later, they were suspected of the murder of North Vernon Police Officer Frank McKinsey. Marshal Harris was a United States Army veteran.
Marshal John Harris succumbed to wounds he suffered two days earlier while attempting to arrest two burglary suspects.
Marshal Harris was investigating a report of a burglary at a blacksmith shop when two subjects exited the business. As Marshal Harris began chasing the subjects on foot, he was struck by gunfire from a pistol by one of the suspects. Marshal Harris succumbed to his wounds two days later.
The suspects fled the scene and were never apprehended. A day later, they were suspected of the murder of North Vernon Police Officer Frank McKinsey.
Marshal Harris was a United States Army veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-285C6056- 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 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.
Town Marshal Harris served with the Sellersburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sellersburg community. Thank you 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 N. Harris served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Town Marshal John N. Harris 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John N. Harris's cause is highlighted.
How John N. Harris Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John N. Harris is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John N. Harris was killed by handgun; pistol.