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Incident
Patrolman Harry Libman was killed after asking a man and woman to exit a park that was closed. Patrolman Libman approached the man and woman inside of Garnsey Square Park and asked them to leave because of the late hour. The man attacked Patrolman Libman, gaining control of his nightstick. The suspect then struck Patrolman Libman with the nightstick, killing him. The 28-year-old suspect was arrested, convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was paroled on September 19, 1927. Patrolman Libman had served with the Rock Island Police Department for three years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Libman gave the Rock Island Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Libman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rock Island Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 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 1918, 1 officer at Rock Island Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 2.
In 1918, 8 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Harry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Rock Island Police Department; October holds the most, 40%. Fridays: 40%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Fridays: 14.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Rock Island Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's nightstick, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's nightstick, in 0.1% 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 officer's nightstick, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's nightstick, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Rock Island Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Rock Island Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
