James G. Harney
Agency patch
Special Agent

James G. Harney

Felonious
End of Watch September 23, 1932
Age 32
Gender Male

Incident

Special Agent James Harney was shot and killed near Tamarack, Minnesota, while investigating a still. He and several other officers were searching the woods when he came across the still. While there a man approached and Agent Harney ordered him to stop. The man instead turned and started to walk back into the woods and Agent Harney followed him and called out to him. The man turned and fired two rounds with a .22 caliber rifle, fatally wounding Agent Harney. The subject then covered Agent Harney's body with leaves and brush. His body wasn't found until the next day. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison for second degree murder.

Survivors

Special Agent Harney was survived by his wife and two young sons.

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.
Special Agent Harney served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Harney.

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

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdjbpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 23, 1932
Age 32
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition has 35 officers remembered here, James among them.

Special Agent James G. Harney

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition · End of Watch September 23, 1932

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W

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