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Incident
Day Warden Harry King was killed when he was assaulted by an inmate with an iron poker at the Burlington County Jail at 128 High Street in Mount Holly.
Warden King had opened the inmate's cell door to give him medicine. At that time, all cells had fireplaces and the inmate used the fire poker to beat Warden King in the hallway. It is thought the inmate attempted to attack the jail trustee and Warden King tried to stop him.
The inmate, who was suffering from delirium, attacked and killed the jail trustee. The inmate was never tried for the slayings and spent the rest of his life in a mental institution.
Warden King had served with the Burlington County Sheriff's Department for six years.
Warden King had opened the inmate's cell door to give him medicine. At that time, all cells had fireplaces and the inmate used the fire poker to beat Warden King in the hallway. It is thought the inmate attempted to attack the jail trustee and Warden King tried to stop him.
The inmate, who was suffering from delirium, attacked and killed the jail trustee. The inmate was never tried for the slayings and spent the rest of his life in a mental institution.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Day Warden King gave the Burlington County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Holly community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Day Warden King.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Burlington County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
William is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 2 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 55. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
William was 55. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Fridays: 14.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Burlington County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Burlington County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.