Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Harry Davis succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained one month earlier when he and his partner responded to a holdup alarm at a local bar at the corner of 23rd Street and Christian Street. Upon arrival Officer Davis went to the front of the bar as his partner went around back. As Officer Davis entered the bar, he confronted the suspect, who shot him once in the chest with a .38 caliber revolver. After hearing the shot, the other officer ran to the front of the bar, where he saw Officer Davis collapse. He chased the suspect for two blocks and exchanged shots with him before arresting him inside an apartment. The 43-year-old suspect was out of jail and under a bond for burglary. He was charged with murder after Officer Davis succumbed to his wound. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He received an additional 10 to 20 years for burglary in 1977. As of August 13, 1991, he was still in prison. Officer Davis was a United States Army and Air Force Korean War veteran and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-E94753CF- 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 Davis gave the Philadelphia Police Department 4 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
Harry Lee Davis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Harry Lee Davis 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. Harry Lee Davis's cause is highlighted.
How Harry Lee Davis Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Lee Davis is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Lee Davis was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
