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Incident
Chief of Police Henry Hand was shot and killed in an unprovoked attack while walking on Houston Avenue at approximately 10:30 am. The suspect, who held a grudge against police officers, walked up to Chief Hand and opened fire on him with a shotgun without warning, shooting him twice. The suspect, 34, was arrested and confessed to shooting Chief Hand. His signed written statement ending with "justice has been done". On June 16, 1939, he entered a plea of guilty of murder. Chief Hand had served with the Montgomery Borough Police Department for three years and had previously served with the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Chief Hand gave the Montgomery Borough Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Montgomery community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Hand.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Henry is the only officer of Montgomery Borough Police Department remembered here.
Henry is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 3 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 36. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Henry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Henry was 36. 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. Henry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Montgomery Borough Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Montgomery Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.