Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Hicks was shot and killed after encountering two runaway juveniles on Frankford Avenue, near Ruan Street. The two juveniles had fled their homes in New Jersey and crossed into Philadelphia, where they were stopped by Officer Hicks. When the two juveniles told Officer Hicks they were running away to Florida, he informed them the best place for them to be was at home and that he would pay for their return trip to New Jersey. One of the boys suddenly produced a 9 mm Luger handgun and shot Officer Hicks three times. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer Hicks grabbed onto the juvenile and would not let go. The second juvenile then took Officer Hicks' nightstick and beat him with it, causing him to break his grip. The juvenile then stole his service revolver, and both boys fled the area. Both boys, 15-years-old, bragged to three of their friends about killing Officer Hicks and said they were going to Wilmington, Delaware. The three informed the police and both were apprehended in Wilmington the next day. Neither showed any remorse as they made there first court appearance back in Philadelphia. In March of 1947 the one who did the shooting was convicted of murder and sentence to life. In March of 1958 he was one of 39 murderers granted clemency by Governor George M. Leader. The other juvenile, who beat Officer Hicks with the nightstick, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. He was released after serving 5 years in an industrial school for boys. Officer Hicks was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and six children. What Governor Leader did shocked J. Edgar Hoover and enraged our entire nation. He received a lot of condemnation from the U.S. House and Senate.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-54E49484- 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.
Police Officer Hicks gave the Philadelphia Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia 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
Henry John Hicks served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Henry John Hicks 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 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. Henry John Hicks's cause is highlighted.
How Henry John Hicks Compares
Offender Outcome
runaway
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry John Hicks is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry John Hicks was killed by handgun; 9 mm.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
