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Incident
Officer Harry Van Meter was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary while conducting a business check near I Street and Inyo Street. He had circled around the business and entered an alley when he was surprised by a suspect who shot him four times before fleeing. Officer Van Meter was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. The prime suspect in the case, although never brought to justice for Officer Van Meter's murder, was also the prime suspect in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Joe Price of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. Officer Van Meter had served with the Fresno Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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
You barely got started.
Officer Van Meter gave the Fresno Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Van Meter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fresno Police Department has lost 15 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harry 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 1907, 2 officers at Fresno Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1907, 12 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 29. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Fresno Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 48.5; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Harry was 29. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Harry had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry was 29. 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. Harry had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 12.5% of these deaths at Fresno Police Department; January holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 50%.
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 15 deaths at Fresno Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Fresno Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
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Harry S. Van Meter
Feb 21, 1907
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Lucius C. Smith Oct 10, 1907
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Clay V. Helms May 15, 1911
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Charles L. Rouse
Apr 16, 1916
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James M. Hardenbrook
Jul 31, 1922
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Frank G. Campbell
Jan 15, 1931
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John O. Brame
Jan 22, 1931
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Elmer Forsman
Oct 7, 1946
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Salvador G. Mosqueda
Aug 20, 1973
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Lanny Stevenson
Dec 8, 1979
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John R. Hissong, II
Jul 4, 1981
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William E. Lehn
Jun 21, 1994
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John Donald Herring
Jul 7, 2014
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Angel De La Fuente
Dec 28, 2020
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Richard Paul Brown, II
Feb 17, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
