Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Patrick McDonald was shot and killed after pulling over a vehicle.
Sergeant McDonald was on patrol when he stopped a vehicle occupied by two men. When asked for identification, the passenger of the vehicle provided Sergeant McDonald with a false name. Sergeant McDonald asked the suspect to exit the vehicle, but the suspect jumped out of the driver's side door and fled on foot. Sergeant McDonald pursued the suspect for several blocks while requesting back-up officers to respond.
Sergeant McDonald caught up with the suspect at the corner of North Colorado and North 17th streets. Sergeant McDonald and the suspect engaged in a violent struggle, during which the suspect drew a .45-caliber handgun and shot the officer several times. When Sergeant McDonald fell to the ground, the suspect stood over him and fired several more shots, killing him.
The suspect then stole a bicycle and fled the location where he was intercepted by motorcycle officers from the highway patrol. The suspect knocked one officer from his motorcycle by throwing his bicycle at him. The second officer got off of his motorcycle and engaged the suspect in a running gun battle, in which the officer was wounded, and the suspect was killed.
The suspect, who was on parole, having been released from prison just weeks prior to this incident, was wanted for assaulting several police officers two days prior.
At the time he was killed, Sergeant McDonald was about to be promoted to Sergeant and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant at his funeral by the Police Commissioner.
Police Officer Patrick McDonald had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for eight years and was assigned to the Highway Patrol.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, sister, and girlfriend.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-E5A0A49B- 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.
Sergeant McDonald gave the Philadelphia Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant McDonald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Patrick C. 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 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. Patrick C. McDonald's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick C. McDonald Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick C. McDonald is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick C. McDonald was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
