Police Officer Jimmy O. Harris

Jimmy O. Harris

Police Officer Jimmy Harris was shot and killed after responding to a report of a domestic dispute in which a mentally ill boy was firing a shotgun at his family.

As Officer Harris attempted to talk the boy into putting down the weapon, the boy shot him in the chest. A neighbor was able to drag Officer Harris into a nearby apartment and called for assistance. Two other responding officers were shot and wounded.

Officer Harris was transported to University Hospital in Augusta, where he succumbed to his wounds.

On March 10, 1970, the boy, 16, was convicted of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and sentenced to life plus 20 years.

Officer Harris was a United States Navy Reserve veteran and had served with the Augusta Police Department for 16 years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.