Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Phillip McDonald was struck and killed by a fleeing truck following a vehicle pursuit of a burglary suspect. The pursuit ended 25 miles away in Herkimer. Officer McDonald, one of several officers in pursuit, got past the truck a considerable distance. He got out of his patrol car, drew his revolver, and pointed it at the approaching driver. Forseeing arrest the driver jumped from the drivers seat and the driverless truck struck Officer McDonald. The suspect was captured minutes later. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to prison. Officer McDonald had served with the agency for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-A6F75E2E- 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.
Police Officer McDonald gave the Rome Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rome community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McDonald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Phillip S. McDonald 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Phillip S. McDonald's cause is highlighted.
How Phillip S. McDonald Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Phillip S. McDonald is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Phillip S. McDonald was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Rome Police Department are honored on badge.nw.