Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Joe McGarry was shot and killed when he and his partner attempted to talk to a murder suspect at a restaurant on North Kings Highway at 12:30 am.
The officers were inside a Dunkin' Donuts restaurant when they observed the man whom they recognized as being a suspect in a homicide that occurred about one month earlier. When the man exited the restaurant Officer McGarry engaged him in conversation. Believing him to be armed, Officer McGarry told him he was going to pat him down. The subject then turned and began to walk away while reaching for his waistband.
As Officer McGarry attempted to stop him the man pulled out a .45 caliber handgun and shot him in the face. Officer McGarry's partner returned fire, striking the suspect in the leg.
The suspect and a female friend fled the scene but were later apprehended. The man was charged with murder, resisting arrest, and assault. The male subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.
In 2008 the South Carolina State Supreme Court overturned the death penalty decision. They said the jurors should have been given the option of convicting the suspect of voluntary manslaughter. The case was later re-tried and the suspect was again sentenced to death.
Officer McGarry had served with the Myrtle Beach Police Department for four years and was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiancee, whom he proposed to five days before he was killed, and by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-59EA1AB7- 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 McGarry gave the Myrtle Beach Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Myrtle Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McGarry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Joseph John McGarry 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Myrtle Beach Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph John McGarry's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph John McGarry Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph John McGarry is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph John McGarry was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Myrtle Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
