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Ernest M. Harkins
Incident
Postal Inspector Ernest Harkins was shot and killed in the Main Post Office and Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was checking his post office box when a man walked up next to him and shot him in the back of the head. The suspect was upset at Inspector Harkins over the loss of two $20 money orders. The man remained at the scene and turned himself in after murdering Inspector Harkins. He plead guilty to murder on a government reservation and was sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on July 31st, 1971, at the age of 96.
Survivors
Inspector Harkins was survived by his wife 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.
Postal Inspector Harkins served with the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Postal Inspector Harkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Postal Inspection Service has lost 14 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Ernest is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest 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 1949, 1 officer at United States Postal Inspection Service was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 2.
In 1949, 1 officer in VA was killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1949, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1949, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 51. Of the 4 killed feloniously at United States Postal Inspection Service whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 44.3; the middle age was 39.
Ernest was 51. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Ernest was 51. 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.
Ernest was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 16.7% of these deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service; March holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 50%.
January holds 5.9% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 9.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 83.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.7% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
United States Postal Inspection Service has 14 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
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Charles M. Davis
Jun 5, 1867
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Charles Fitzgerald Sep 23, 1908
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Elbert Perry Lamberth
Aug 16, 1917
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George Washington Daniel
Sep 1, 1919
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Levi C. Chance Feb 14, 1923
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Walter Richard Ton
Jan 10, 1938
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Finton T. McMahon
Aug 1, 1939
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Ernest M. Harkins
Jan 12, 1949
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Bruce Orrin Shaffer Aug 31, 1951
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John P. McAuliffe
Mar 14, 1960
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Benedetto M. Spizzirri
Mar 14, 1960
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Terrance M. Asbury
Feb 3, 1990
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Robert Francis Jones, Jr.
Jul 14, 2000
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Preston Boyd Parnell
Jul 26, 2012
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from United States Postal Inspection Service are honored on badge.nw.
