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Dennis Joseph McNamara
Incident
Police Officer Dennis McNamara was shot and killed while investigating suspicious vehicle in front of a home on Perry Avenue.
As he talked into his shoulder mounted microphone, a motorcycle gang member ran out of the home. The suspect pulled out a handgun and shot Officer McNamara in the side of the head. The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle.
Officer McNamara was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds two hours later.
The suspect was arrested in the early morning hours following a car chase in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The suspect was seriously injured when he crashed his vehicle. The 52-year-old suspect plead guilty to Officer McNamara's murder and was sentenced to life. He died in prison on July 8, 2015.
Officer McNamara was a U.S. Army Reserve veteran and had served with the Upper Darby Township Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Dennis is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer McNamara gave the Upper Darby Township Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Upper Darby community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dennis Joseph McNamara served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dennis is the only officer of Upper Darby Township Police Department remembered here.
Dennis is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2002, 2 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2002, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dennis was 43. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Dennis had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Dennis was 43. 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. Dennis had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Upper Darby Township Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, 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; .32 caliber, in 1.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Dennis Joseph McNamara served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Dennis Joseph McNamara’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Upper Darby Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.