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Incident
Sergeant John McGinn suffered a fatal heart attack during a stressful situation while on duty. Sergeant McGinn had served with the Worcester Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant McGinn gave the Worcester Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Worcester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant McGinn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Worcester Police Department has lost 9 officers; 3 of them lost to cardiac events.
John is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in MA, 9.4% of the 469 remembered there.
John is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1981, 2 officers in MA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1981, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1981, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
John was 51. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 54.5; the middle age was 50. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
John was 51. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
John was 51. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in MA; June holds the most, 18.2%. Thursdays: 20.5%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 9 deaths at Worcester Police Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Worcester Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Worcester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
