Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective John McCarthy was shot and killed shortly after arresting two men and a woman for passing bad checks. Detective McCarthy and two other detectives went to arrest two men and a woman who were in a bar two blocks from the police station and were wanted for passing bad checks. The officers searched the two men, but not the woman. When they all got in the police car and started the two-block drive, the woman gave each man a pistol. A gun battle ensued, killing Detective McCarthy and both male suspects. Both of the other officers were wounded but recovered. The woman was unharmed and received a six-month sentence for passing bad checks. Detective McCarthy had served with the Toledo Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-2B4874DE- 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Lieutenant McCarthy gave the Toledo Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Toledo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lieutenant McCarthy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Lieutenant John McCarthy 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Toledo Police Dept., 25 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 78.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John McCarthy's cause is highlighted.
How John McCarthy Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John McCarthy is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John McCarthy was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Toledo Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
