Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John McCarthy was shot and killed after he and his partner observed a car parked by White Rock Lake in the 600 block of East Lawther Drive. They observed two partially clothed people and told them to leave. As Officer McCarthy was returning to his vehicle, the man stepped out of his vehicle and shot him in the head. The man ran into the lake and then was arrested when he came back out. The suspect was convicted and executed. Officer McCarthy had served with the Dallas Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-80C4D446- 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.
Officer McCarthy gave the Dallas Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer McCarthy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer John Thomas 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dallas Police Department, 55 of 95 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Thomas McCarthy's cause is highlighted.
How John Thomas McCarthy Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Thomas McCarthy is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Thomas McCarthy was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
94 officers from Dallas Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
