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Johnny Orville Harris
Incident
Police Officer Johnny Harris was shot and fatally wounded and his partner was critically wounded while responding to a man with gun call at a local residence. A third officer shot and wounded the suspect. Officer Harris died at a local hospital the following day. Officer Harris' partner, the department's first female officer, recovered from her wounds. The suspect, an ex-convict, was convicted of murder. He died in prison on September 15th, 1976. The shooting occurred on Officer Harris' 25th birthday. Officer Harris had served with the Muskegon Heights Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Police Officer Harris gave the Muskegon Heights Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Muskegon Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Johnny is the only officer of Muskegon Heights Police Department remembered here.
Johnny is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Johnny is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Johnny 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 1975, 5 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Johnny was 25. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Johnny had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Johnny was 25. 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. Johnny had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Johnny was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Johnny had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 12.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Muskegon Heights Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.5% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Muskegon Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.