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Police Officer

Phillip S. McDonald

Rome Police Department — Rome, NY

Felonious

End of Watch December 15, 1920

Age 53

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

The Vigil Panel 40 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Officer Phillip McDonald was struck and killed by a fleeing truck following a vehicle pursuit of a burglary suspect. The pursuit ended 25 miles away in Herkimer. Officer McDonald, one of several officers in pursuit, got past the truck a considerable distance. He got out of his patrol car, drew his revolver, and pointed it at the approaching driver. Forseeing arrest the driver jumped from the drivers seat and the driverless truck struck Officer McDonald. The suspect was captured minutes later. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to prison. Officer McDonald had served with the agency for 19 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-A6F75E2E
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 McDonald gave the Rome Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rome community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McDonald.

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

Agency

Department Rome Police Department

Location Rome, NY

Platform Identity rpd.oneida.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 15, 1920

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

Age 53

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Offender Convicted of manslaughter

Police Officer Phillip S. McDonald 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

Rome Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Phillip S. McDonald's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Phillip S. McDonald Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Convicted of manslaughter

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Phillip S. McDonald is highlighted in Dec.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Phillip S. McDonald was killed by automobile.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518