Roll of Honor

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Officer

James P. McGrath

Burlington Police Department — Burlington, VT

Felonious

End of Watch May 12, 1904

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 19 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 2

Incident

Officer James McGrath was shot and killed on foot patrol in the Burlington rail and lumber yard at Main Street and Battery Street in Burlington at 1930 hours. He was shot three times when he encountered an AWOL soldier. Officer McGrath succumbed to his wounds while being transported to his home. The suspect was apprehended and convicted of Officer McGrath's murder. He died in prison in 1940.

Survivors

Officer McGrath was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-VT-4FFD597C
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 McGrath served with the Burlington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Burlington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer McGrath.

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

Agency

Department Burlington Police Department

Location Burlington, VT

Platform Identity bpd.chittenden.vt.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 12, 1904

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Convicted

Officer James P. McGrath 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 VT, 12 of 31 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.7% of this state's fallen. That is 15.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Burlington Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.

Burlington Police Department

of 3 officers

33.3% Felonious

VT — Statewide

of 31 officers

38.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James P. McGrath's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James P. McGrath Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Convicted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James P. McGrath is highlighted in May.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James P. McGrath was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Burlington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.