Incident
Detective Harry Charlton succumbed to injuries sustained on January 7, 1920, while assisting another officer in making an arrest on Granby Street near Queen Street (modern-day Brambleton Avenue). The other officer was attempting to place a drunken woman he had arrested in a patrol wagon when the woman kicked Detective Charlton in the groin. A large bruise developed causing blood poisoning that ultimately caused his death. Detective Charlton was hospitalized for four months.
Survivors
Detective Charlton was survived by his wife, son, daughter, father, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-3B800B4A- 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
You barely got started.
Detective Charlton gave the Norfolk Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Norfolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Charlton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Harry Lankford Charlton 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 VA, 395 of 654 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 Norfolk Police Dept., 20 of 39 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry Lankford Charlton's cause is highlighted.
How Harry Lankford Charlton Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Lankford Charlton is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Lankford Charlton was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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