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Incident
Chief Hartman was shot and killed while attempting to serve a mental commitment paper to a man at a house on Union Street at approximately 0900 hours. As Chief Hartman and the man's father approached the home the man opened fire with a .25 caliber revolver, striking the father. Chief Hartman attempted to knock down the door but was struck twice in the abdomen. The suspect was taken into custody by two citizens next to the police station. Chief Hartman was taken to Columbia Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds that afternoon. The father taken to the same hospital in serious condition. On September 11, 1923, the man, 21, was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed at the state mental hospital in Fairview where he died on April 15, 1971.
Survivors
Chief Hartman had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his six children and three sisters.
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 of Police Hartman gave the Columbia Borough Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Hartman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Harry is the only officer of Columbia Borough Police Department remembered here.
Harry is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 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, 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 1923, 15 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 59. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Harry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Harry was 59. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry was 59. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Columbia Borough Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 27.3% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Columbia Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.