Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John Maguire was shot and killed when he responded to a robbery in progress at a local department store.
At 9:00pm, three men went to a department store to rob the jewelry counter as the employees prepared to close. One male entered the store, while a second suspect stood outside as a lookout. A third suspect waited in a get-away vehicle nearby. After robbing the jewelry counter, the men exited the store with a bag filled with jewelry. As the two suspects headed towards the get-away vehicle, Officer Maguire arrived in the parking lot, where he confronted one of the suspects and began a foot pursuit. During the pursuit, the suspect opened fire, striking Officer Maguire four times in the torso. Officer Maguire returned fire and killed the suspect.
The two other suspects were apprehended and face multiple charges, including murder and robbery. The suspect who was killed was on parole for attempted murder, several robberies and escape, despite having previously been sentenced to three life prison terms.
Officer Maguire was transported to a hospital in Burlington where he succumbed to his wounds.
Officer Maguire had served with the Woburn Police Department for 34 years.
At 9:00pm, three men went to a department store to rob the jewelry counter as the employees prepared to close. One male entered the store, while a second suspect stood outside as a lookout. A third suspect waited in a get-away vehicle nearby. After robbing the jewelry counter, the men exited the store with a bag filled with jewelry. As the two suspects headed towards the get-away vehicle, Officer Maguire arrived in the parking lot, where he confronted one of the suspects and began a foot pursuit. During the pursuit, the suspect opened fire, striking Officer Maguire four times in the torso. Officer Maguire returned fire and killed the suspect.
Officer Maguire had served with the Woburn Police Department for 34 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three adult children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-329F6AB5- 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
34 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Maguire gave the Woburn Police Department 34 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Woburn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Maguire.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John B. Maguire 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 42.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Woburn Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John B. Maguire's cause is highlighted.
How John B. Maguire Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John B. Maguire is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John B. Maguire was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Woburn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
