Roll of Honor
John George McNamara
Incident
Policeman McNamara was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man he caught stealing coal from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad near Curtis Bay, Maryland.
When the officer grabbed the man from behind, the suspect turned and fired a shot from a .38 caliber revolver, striking Policeman McNamara in the chest. The suspect then fled the scene as Policeman McNamara fell to the ground.
The suspect was arrested the following day and taken to the Baltimore City Jail to prevent him from being lynched. The man was convicted of murdering Policeman McNamara and was executed and hung on July 21, 1905.
Policeman McNamara had been appointed to the police force in May 1904.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-AE981AA5- 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.
Policeman McNamara served with the Anne Arundel County Fifth Election District Police.
Thank you for your service to the Millersville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman McNamara.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman John George McNamara 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Anne Arundel County Fifth Election District Police, 2 of 2 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. John George McNamara's cause is highlighted.
How John George McNamara Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1905
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John George McNamara is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John George McNamara was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Anne Arundel County Fifth Election District Police are honored on badge.nw.
