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Incident
Constable Anton Harnischfeger succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained in Garvanza three days earlier while he and a posse attempted to arrest a man wanted for assaulting a child.
The man was a hermit who lived in a hut along the Arroyo Seco and was collecting driftwood that washing onto his property as the result of heavy rain. A woman and her daughter who lived above him were also starting collecting the wood but were confronted by the man and told to stop. When the woman went into her house the subject attacked the girl, punching her and clubbing her.
A warrant was issued for the man's arrest and Constable Harnischfeger wen to the man's home to serve it along with several citizens. When the man came to the door he immediately shot Constable Harnischfeger in the forehead with a .38 caliber revolver, fatally wounding him.
The man fled into South Pasadena but was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with a pursuing posse of citizens.
Constable Harnischfeger had served as the Garvanza area constable for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
137 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Harnischfeger gave the Los Angeles County Constable's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Monterey Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Los Angeles County Constable's Office has lost 13 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Anton is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Anton is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Anton is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1889, 1 officer at Los Angeles County Constable's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1857, with 2.
In 1889, 3 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1889, 46 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1889, 48 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Anton was 39. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Los Angeles County Constable's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 39; the middle age was 38. Anton had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Anton was 39. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Anton had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Anton was 39. 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. Anton had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Anton was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Anton had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10% of these deaths at Los Angeles County Constable's Office; January holds the most, 30%. Wednesdays: 20%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 76.9% of all 13 deaths at Los Angeles County Constable's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.5% 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 handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Los Angeles County Constable's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Anton among them.
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Jack Wheelan Dec 7, 1853
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Charles K. Baker Jan 23, 1857
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William H. Little Jan 23, 1857
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Anton Harnischfeger Mar 20, 1889
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Francis Marion Culp
Jun 10, 1906
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Charles A. De Moranville Jan 4, 1909
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Anthony B. Couts Oct 25, 1914
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George A. Curtis Feb 1, 1916
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Herbert Enidicott Glidden
Nov 9, 1920
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William E. Funkhouser
May 14, 1922
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J. Edward Brown
Sep 14, 1924
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John S. Pilcher
Jun 4, 1925
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Charles W. Winston Apr 3, 1926
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Los Angeles County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
