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Incident
Patrolman Mox McQuery succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained three days earlier by two murder suspects he was attempting to arrest at the base of the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge. The two men had just murdered another tramp a short distance away and had boarded a streetcar toward Cincinnati. Patrolman McQuery and other officers went to the bridge and stopped the streetcar. Patrolman McQuery ordered the men to exit the car, and as they stepped to the pavement they both drew revolvers and exchanged shots with Patrolman McQuery. Patrolman McQuery was struck in the chest by one of the shots. One of the men was wounded and arrested. The second man began to run across the bridge, but when he saw officers from Cincinnati approaching he jumped from the middle of the span into the Ohio River 100-feet below. He was arrested after swimming to shore. Patrolman McQuery was taken to a hospital in Cincinnati where he died three days later. His killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in the Kentucky State Penitentiary at Frankfort. He was shot and killed while trying to escape on August 20th, 1902. Patrolman McQuery had formerly played professional baseball for the Detroit Tigers. He had served with the Covington Police Department for four years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman McQuery gave the Covington Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Covington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McQuery.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Covington Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1900, 1 officer at Covington Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1900, 5 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1900, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1900, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 39. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Covington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 45; the middle age was 39. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 39. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 39. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Covington Police Department; February holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
June holds 8.6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Covington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 80% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.4% 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Covington Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Covington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
