Robert Andrew McGarvey
Agency patch
Police Officer

Robert Andrew McGarvey

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Felonious
End of Watch February 24, 1927
Age 26
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
The Vigil Panel 120 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Robert McGarvey was accidentally shot by another officer inside a saloon at the intersection of 19th and Bainbridge streets, which was near the walking beats of both officers. The saloon owner had asked the officers for assistance with selling benefits for a local church. The officers had come back to the saloon to return the proceeds. As they talked they were bantering about whose service revolver was cleaner. As the other officer began to disassemble his revolver he accidentally depressed the trigger. The round struck officer McGarvey in the chest, killing him. Officer McGarvey had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for five years.

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 McGarvey gave the Philadelphia Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McGarvey.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 24, 1927
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 26
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Robert was 26. 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. Robert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Philadelphia Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Robert among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Robert Andrew McGarvey

Philadelphia Police Department · End of Watch February 24, 1927

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W

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