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Cornelius J. McCarthy
Agency patch
Detective

Cornelius J. McCarthy

Des Moines Police Department — Des Moines, IA
Felonious
United States flag Iowa flag
End of Watch September 27, 1919
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Badge 14
The Vigil Panel 38 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 26

Incident

Detective Cornelius McCarthy was shot and killed after arresting a burglar. He was working undercover with a local milkman investigating a series of burglaries. The burglar was entering houses while the milkman was making deliveries, using the noise as cover. The delivery driver pointed out a suspicious man and identified him as a possible burglar. Detective McCarthy, dressed in overalls, arrested the man and called for a patrol wagon to take him to jail. While they were waiting the suspect asked to sit down on the curb. He sat down long enough to pull a .32 caliber pistol from his shoe and shot Detective McCarthy in the chest. He then began firing at the patrol wagon which was pulling up. The suspect was arrested and sentenced to life in prison, where he later died. Detective McCarthy had served with the Des Moins Police Department for eight years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and seven children, ages seven to 15.

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.
Detective McCarthy gave the Des Moines Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McCarthy.

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

Agency

Department Des Moines Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Des Moines, Polk County, IA
Platform Identity dmpd.polk.ia.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 27, 1919
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Badge Number 14
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Cornelius had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Des Moines Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Cornelius among them.

Across the years

Detective Cornelius J. McCarthy

Des Moines Police Department · End of Watch September 27, 1919

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W

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