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Incident
Police Officer John McGann was shot and killed by the owner of a speakeasy that he was raiding at the intersection of Broad Street and West Grand Street. The man fled to Santa Rosa, California, where he was eventually arrested on July 30th, 1931. He was extradited back to New Jersey where he was convicted of Officer McGann's murder and sentenced to death. He was subsequently executed on July 20th, 1932.
Survivors
Officer McGann was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer McGann served with the Elizabeth Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elizabeth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McGann.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Elizabeth Police Department has lost 10 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 6 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 33. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 8.7% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Mondays: 12.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 10 deaths at Elizabeth Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 12.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Elizabeth Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Elizabeth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
