Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Cornelius McCarthy was shot and killed after arresting a burglar. He was working undercover with a local milkman investigating a series of burglaries. The burglar was entering houses while the milkman was making deliveries, using the noise as cover. The delivery driver pointed out a suspicious man and identified him as a possible burglar. Detective McCarthy, dressed in overalls, arrested the man and called for a patrol wagon to take him to jail. While they were waiting the suspect asked to sit down on the curb. He sat down long enough to pull a .32 caliber pistol from his shoe and shot Detective McCarthy in the chest. He then began firing at the patrol wagon which was pulling up. The suspect was arrested and sentenced to life in prison, where he later died. Detective McCarthy had served with the Des Moins Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children, ages seven to 15.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-5F12F05E- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective McCarthy gave the Des Moines Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McCarthy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Cornelius J. McCarthy is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Des Moines Police Department, 16 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Cornelius J. McCarthy's cause is highlighted.
How Cornelius J. McCarthy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cornelius J. McCarthy is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cornelius J. McCarthy was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Des Moines Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
