William D. McCarthy

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Felonious

End of Watch September 22, 1987

Age 31

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Badge 2746

The Vigil Panel 132 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 377

Incident

Police Officer William McCarthy was struck and killed by a drunk driver outside of Spectrum Stadium while on mounted patrol following a concert. Officer McCarthy's horse, Skipper, was also killed in the incident. The driver was sentenced to three years in prison. Officer McCarthy had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-6BD40DE5
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer McCarthy gave the Philadelphia Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McCarthy.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Location Philadelphia, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 22, 1987

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Age 31

Badge Number 2746

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Sentenced to 3 years

Police Officer William D. McCarthy 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.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious