Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer James McGrath was shot and killed on foot patrol in the Burlington rail and lumber yard at Main Street and Battery Street in Burlington at 1930 hours. He was shot three times when he encountered an AWOL soldier. Officer McGrath succumbed to his wounds while being transported to his home. The suspect was apprehended and convicted of Officer McGrath's murder. He died in prison in 1940.
Survivors
Officer McGrath was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VT-4FFD597C- 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.
Officer McGrath served with the Burlington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Burlington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer McGrath.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer James P. McGrath 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 VT, 12 of 31 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.7% of this state's fallen. That is 38.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Burlington Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James P. McGrath's cause is highlighted.
How James P. McGrath Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James P. McGrath is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James P. McGrath was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Burlington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
