Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Joseph McGinn was shot to death during a raid on a gambling den at 816 Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia. As the detectives raided the establishment 10 masked gunmen entered and attempted to rob it. Detective McGinn, who was on vacation, had volunteered for the assignment. His killer was identified, arrested, and executed in the electric chair on February 22nd, 1922. Detective McGinn was a 23-year veteran of the force.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-489241B4- 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Detective McGinn gave the Philadelphia Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McGinn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Joseph P. McGinn 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. Joseph P. McGinn's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph P. McGinn Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1932
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph P. McGinn is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph P. McGinn was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
