Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Chief McGuirk was shot and killed when two men attempted to carjack him in the parking lot of his apartment building at 158 High Street, in Orange. When Chief McGuirk attempted to arrest the suspects, one drew a .38-caliber revolver and shot him three times. Both suspects, ages 20 and 17, were arrested and charged with murder. The 20-year-old suspect, who shot Deputy Chief McGuirk, was convicted of his murder and sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison. He was paroled on September 12th, 1998. Deputy Chief McGuirk has served with the Essex County Sheriff's Department for 26 years.
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BO-US-NJ-2BF6377E- 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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Chief McGuirk gave the Essex County Sheriff's Office 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Chief McGuirk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Chief William J. McGuirk 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 NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Essex County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. McGuirk's cause is highlighted.
How William J. McGuirk Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. McGuirk is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. McGuirk was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Essex County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
