Robert Andrew McGarvey

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Felonious

End of Watch February 24, 1927

Age 26

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 52 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 377

Incident

Police Officer Robert McGarvey was accidentally shot by another officer inside a saloon at the intersection of 19th and Bainbridge streets, which was near the walking beats of both officers. The saloon owner had asked the officers for assistance with selling benefits for a local church. The officers had come back to the saloon to return the proceeds. As they talked they were bantering about whose service revolver was cleaner. As the other officer began to disassemble his revolver he accidentally depressed the trigger. The round struck officer McGarvey in the chest, killing him. Officer McGarvey had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for five years.

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer McGarvey gave the Philadelphia Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McGarvey.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 24, 1927

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Police Officer Robert Andrew McGarvey is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 6.6 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.

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.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,587 officers

53.9% Felonious