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Incident
Sergeant George MacPhee was shot and killed while attempting to arrest several subjects that he caught breaking into a store at 1 Braddock Avenue.
He had responded to the store after receiving word that it was being burglarized. As he walked up to the rear of the store he observed several subjects attempting to go through a window. He ordered them to stop and then began struggling with one of them after chasing him a short distance. During the struggle the man produced a revolver and fatally shot him four times. A borough councilman who had accompanied him witnessed the shooting. The subjects fled the area and were believed to have boarded a passing train to escape. One subject was apprehended several weeks later and charged with Sergeant MacPhee's murder. The murder charge was later dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Sergeant MacPhee had been shot in the line of duty six months earlier.
In Our Keeping
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neuraspine_01krbxtntc8d98c520dh3ys9xh- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. George 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.
Sergeant MacPhee served with the Rankin Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rankin community, and 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
George L. MacPhee served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
George is the only officer of Rankin Borough Police Department remembered here.
George is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
George 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 1926, 7 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 27. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
George was 27. 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.
George was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 15.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Rankin Borough Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where
Military Service
George L. MacPhee served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit George L. MacPhee’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 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Rankin Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.