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Incident
Police Officer Joe McGarry was shot and killed when he and his partner attempted to talk to a murder suspect at a restaurant on North Kings Highway at 12:30 am.
The officers were inside a Dunkin' Donuts restaurant when they observed the man whom they recognized as being a suspect in a homicide that occurred about one month earlier. When the man exited the restaurant Officer McGarry engaged him in conversation. Believing him to be armed, Officer McGarry told him he was going to pat him down. The subject then turned and began to walk away while reaching for his waistband.
As Officer McGarry attempted to stop him the man pulled out a .45 caliber handgun and shot him in the face. Officer McGarry's partner returned fire, striking the suspect in the leg.
The suspect and a female friend fled the scene but were later apprehended. The man was charged with murder, resisting arrest, and assault. The male subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.
In 2008 the South Carolina State Supreme Court overturned the death penalty decision. They said the jurors should have been given the option of convicting the suspect of voluntary manslaughter. The case was later re-tried and the suspect was again sentenced to death.
Officer McGarry had served with the Myrtle Beach Police Department for four years and was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiancee, whom he proposed to five days before he was killed, and by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 McGarry gave the Myrtle Beach Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Myrtle Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McGarry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Myrtle Beach Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 2002, 7 officers in SC were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2002, 78 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 28. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Joseph was 28. 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. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.2% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Sundays: 19.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Myrtle Beach Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 1.1% 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 handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Myrtle Beach Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Myrtle Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
