The City of Pomona was incorporated on January 6, 1888, and became a Charter City in 1911. Henry P. Tracy was hired as the first Chief of Police on May 16, 1911. Chief Tracy was 47 years old and had no previous law enforcement experience. His salary was $1,200 a year.
Chief Tracy was serving his fourth year as chief when a suspect he was pursuing shot him in the leg. He had just recovered from the injury when he was killed on May 3, 1915, in a traffic collision on Second Street. Chief Tracy was riding on a motorcycle with Officer Z.A. Garrison when they were struck by a truck. Garrison survived the collision.
Chief Tracy is buried at Pomona Cemetery. It is unknown if there are any surviving family members.
Chief Tracy was remembered in a City Council resolution dated May 18, 1915 that noted:
"As it has pleased our all-wise Father in his infinite wisdom to remove from our midst our honored Chief, H.P. Tracy, thus breaking another link in our Official Circle; Therefore be it Resolved:
That in the passing of Chief Tracy we have lost a true and loyal friend and the City has lost not only a faithful and efficient Officer but also an honest, loyal and upright citizen. He was a man who loved his home, his friends, and Country.
Unselfishness, energy and uprightness have characterized his conduct in this community, and in the capacity as an official of the City he was at all times a kind and courteous gentleman.
To his family, we extend our sincere sympathy in this their deepest hour of sorrow and we assure them that we stand ready at any time to help them bear their burdens and lighten their sorrow. We can well say in the words of scripture “Well done good and faithful servant enter now into the joy of thy reward.”
