Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer J.D. Harris was shot and killed near the intersection of Edgewood Street and Walker Street while investigating a suspicious vehicle. Officer Harris had stopped a vehicle after receiving complaints from a citizen that the car had tried to run him down. Officer Harris ordered the two men to place their hands on the hood of the vehicle. One of the men gave the other man a 9 mm handgun, then he opened fire on Officer Harris, striking him three times. The suspect shot and killed a bystander as both men fled the scene. The other suspect was shot and killed shortly after seriously wounding another officer. The shooter, an illegal alien, was arrested and convicted of capital murder. The conviction was overturned, and he was released but died in an automobile accident shortly after returning to Mexico. Officer Harris was a United States Air Force military police veteran and had served with the Houston Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, grandparents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-4A3E9727- 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 James. 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.
Officer Harris gave the Houston Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston 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
James Donald Harris served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer James Donald 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Donald Harris's cause is highlighted.
How James Donald Harris Compares
Offender Outcome
Deceased
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Donald Harris is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Donald Harris was killed by handgun; 9 mm.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
