Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Joseph McCain succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted 13 years earlier.
He was shot during a drug raid on Wood Avenue in Hyde Park. The wound caused him to undergo several surgeries and his health deteriorated until he passed away. He was never able to return to work following the shooting.
Detective McCain was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 30 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-E0D207CD- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Detective McCain gave the Metropolitan Police Department 30 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boston community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Elmer McCain served in the Navy (1946â1949) before joining law enforcement.
Detective Joseph Elmer McCain 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 4 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Elmer McCain's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Elmer McCain Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Elmer McCain is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Elmer McCain was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
