Roll of Honor
Incident
Watchman Robert McGuffin succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he was struck in the head while trying to quell a riot near the intersection of North Third Street near George Street.
Fellow officers had arrested a man in a home for disorderly conduct when a crowd formed around them and started to toss objects at them. The officers requested assistance and when officers arrived Watchman McGuffin was struck in the head with a cobblestone, fracturing his skull. He was taken to his home where he was treated by doctors and succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Another officer with Watchman McGuffin was shot in the head at the scene of the riot but the wound was not serious. The scene of the riot was quelled when the military was called upon.
Watchman McGuffin was attached to the Northern Liberties Division and was survived by his wife, and three children.
Survivors
Watchman McGuffin was attached to the Northern Liberties Division and was survived by his wife, and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-738F04BE- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
198 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman McGuffin served with the Philadelphia Night Watch.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Watchman Robert McGuffin 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 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 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Philadelphia Night Watch, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert McGuffin's cause is highlighted.
How Robert McGuffin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert McGuffin is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert McGuffin was killed by blunt object; rock.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Philadelphia Night Watch are honored on badge.nw.
