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Incident
Watchman Robert McGuffin succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he was struck in the head while trying to quell a riot near the intersection of North Third Street near George Street.
Fellow officers had arrested a man in a home for disorderly conduct when a crowd formed around them and started to toss objects at them. The officers requested assistance and when officers arrived Watchman McGuffin was struck in the head with a cobblestone, fracturing his skull. He was taken to his home where he was treated by doctors and succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Another officer with Watchman McGuffin was shot in the head at the scene of the riot but the wound was not serious. The scene of the riot was quelled when the military was called upon.
Watchman McGuffin was attached to the Northern Liberties Division and was survived by his wife, and three children.
Survivors
Watchman McGuffin was attached to the Northern Liberties Division and was survived by his wife, and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
198 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman McGuffin served with the Philadelphia Night Watch.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Philadelphia Night Watch has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1828, 1 officer in PA was killed feloniously, the 120th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1828, 1 officer in the United States was killed feloniously, the 197th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1828, 7 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 185th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 40. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Robert was 40. 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 was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Philadelphia Night Watch, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; rock, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; rock, in 0.2% 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 blunt object; rock, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; rock, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Philadelphia Night Watch has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Philadelphia Night Watch are honored on badge.nw.
