Incident
Police Officer William McCarthy was stabbed to death while investigating two men breaking into cars near his apartment building. He had just arrived home at the end of his shift when he observed the men breaking into cars. Unbeknownst to him, two more suspects were hiding behind him and attacked him. After stabbing him the suspects stole his gun, badge, and personal belongings before fleeing. Other officers followed a blood trail and arrested the suspects, 19 and 21. They were sentenced to 30 years. Officer McCarthy had served with the Jersey City Police Department for 24 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer McCarthy gave the Jersey City Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Jersey City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McCarthy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jersey City Police Department has lost 41 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1976, 1 officer at Jersey City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 2.
In 1976, 5 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 46. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Jersey City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 37. William had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
William was 46. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
William was 46. 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. William had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths at Jersey City Police Department; November holds the most, 21.4%. Wednesdays: 14.3%.
January holds 5.7% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 34.1% of all 41 deaths at Jersey City Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 7.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 4.2% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Jersey City Police Department has 41 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Thomas Flynn Nov 29, 1879
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Edward O'Brien Dec 18, 1881
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Nicholas Nester Oct 7, 1908
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Dennis J. Sullivan Jun 12, 1910
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Hugh J. Clarke Oct 1, 1913
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Charles Graham Jun 11, 1914
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John Patrick Murphy
Nov 29, 1915
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James F. Doherty
Aug 1, 1916
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Thomas Joseph Cavanagh
Jun 23, 1921
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James Dinley Nov 6, 1921
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Eugene C. Otersen Jan 7, 1922
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William P. Clark Aug 2, 1922
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Charles Henry Ackerman Oct 11, 1922
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James B. Quinlan Apr 7, 1923
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John Black
May 22, 1923
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Clarence Weir
May 22, 1923
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Walter O'Neill
Mar 2, 1929
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John J. Shanahan Mar 2, 1929
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Richard H. Fletcher, Jr.
Apr 21, 1929
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Edward Ruark Dec 12, 1930
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Joseph Francis Sewell
Jul 18, 1932
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James J. Carroll May 27, 1934
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Walter Harrigan Aug 27, 1934
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William Cahill Oct 26, 1946
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William McCaffery Dec 13, 1958
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Stephen Lipka Nov 8, 1965
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Stanley P. Przygocki
Oct 29, 1967
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Casper J. Buonocore, Jr.
Sep 12, 1973
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John J. Bracken
Sep 12, 1973
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Dominick Edward Conticchio
Sep 10, 1974
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William G. McCarthy Jan 14, 1976
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Donald Patrick Carroll
Nov 6, 1986
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Samuel R. Wilson
Jan 4, 1989
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John E. Laughery
Nov 24, 1992
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Domenick J. Infantes, Jr.
Jul 6, 2001
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Shawn Carson
Dec 25, 2005
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Robert Nguyen
Dec 25, 2005
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Marc Anthony DiNardo
Jul 21, 2009
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Melvin Vincent Santiago
Jul 13, 2014
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Christopher Robateau
Jan 5, 2018
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Joseph Alan Seals
Dec 10, 2019
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
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