Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James McDade succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on February 19th, 1885, when he and another officer interrupted a burglary in progress.
The officers heard sounds coming from the rear of a coal company near the intersection of Sixth Street and Madison Street. Believing thieves were stealing coal from the chutes along the railroad tracks, the officers started walking around the building. They surprised two subjects who were attempting to pry open the shutters of the building.
Officer McDade's partner attempted to grab one of the men but was struck in the face by a blunt object and dazed. Officer McDade started pursuing the other subject, who then opened fire with a revolver, striking him in the thigh. A third officer heard the shots and came to their assistance. He carried both officers across the street where they were tended to by a doctor.
Doctors were unable to remove the bullet from Officer McDade's leg. His condition worsened and he died on December 1st, 1903, from complications of the original wound.
Officer McDade had served with the Chester Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-662E3B8C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer McDade gave the Chester City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McDade.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James M. McDade is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chester City Police Department, 8 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James M. McDade's cause is highlighted.
How James M. McDade Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James M. McDade is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James M. McDade was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Chester City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
