Harry J. Gray

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch November 2, 1925

Badge 886

The Vigil Panel 50 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Sergeant Harry J. Gray succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained five days earlier at 240 Englewood Avenue while attempting to arrest a man wanted for auto theft and for the murder of Special Agent Edwin Shanahan, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which occurred on October 11th, 1925. The suspect, Martin Durkin, had also been involved in the wounding of three other Chicago police officers. The officers stationed themselves at the offender's apartment and awaited his return. As the offender arrived, accompanied by his girlfriend, Sergeant Gray arrested him. However, the girlfriend suddenly produced a revolver and fired, fatally wounding Sergeant Gray. The couple were arrested. Durkin was sentenced to 35 years for the murders and 15 years for auto theft. Sergeant Gray had served with the 11th precinct.

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Gray served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Gray.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Chicago Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Chicago, Cook County, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 2, 1925

Badge Number 886

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month

By day of the week

III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded