Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John McGann was shot and killed by the owner of a speakeasy that he was raiding at the intersection of Broad Street and West Grand Street. The man fled to Santa Rosa, California, where he was eventually arrested on July 30th, 1931. He was extradited back to New Jersey where he was convicted of Officer McGann's murder and sentenced to death. He was subsequently executed on July 20th, 1932.
Survivors
Officer McGann was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-7E62B3E3- 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 McGann served with the Elizabeth Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elizabeth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McGann.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John F. McGann 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 NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Elizabeth Police Department, 4 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. McGann's cause is highlighted.
How John F. McGann Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1932
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. McGann is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. McGann was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Elizabeth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
