Roll of Honor
John F. McEntee, Jr.
Incident
Police Officer John McEntee was shot and killed as he was sitting in his patrol car at the corner of Woodstock Street and Norris Street.
He and other officers had responded to an unfounded radio call. Two youths, 15 and 18, walked up behind his car as he was writing a report. The 15-year-old pulled a pistol and shot him twice in the back of the head. Both were apprehended and charged with murder. When asked why did you shoot him, the killer replied, "I just wanted to." Witnesses stated he told them, "I want to kill a cop."
In 1973, the boy, with testimony from his companion, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He received a new trial and was sentenced to life again in 1975. Due to legal issues in both trials, a third trial was ordered, and he was released in lieu of bond. In 1979, he was convicted a third time and sent to prison for life. In consideration of the other suspect's testimony, he was sentenced to 3 to 20 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-61C3EF33- 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 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.
Police Officer McEntee gave the Philadelphia Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Thank you 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
John F. McEntee, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer John F. McEntee, Jr. 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 Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. McEntee, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John F. McEntee, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. McEntee, Jr. is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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