Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman John Creevy was shot while trying to break up a domestic disturbance in a house in the 1000 block of Germantown Avenue. A man, who had already killed another man in the house, grabbed Policeman Creevy's service revolver from its holster and shot him. The man was tackled outside the house and badly beaten by a crowd. Policeman Creevy was taken to Saint Mary's Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The suspect was convicted of Policeman Creevy's murder and executed on December 3, 1928. Policeman Creevy was a 24-year veteran of the force.
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BO-US-PA-617FA7D0- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Policeman Creevy gave the Philadelphia Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Creevy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman John F. Creevy 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. Creevy's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Creevy Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1928
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Creevy is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Creevy was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
