Detective Cornelius J. McCarthy
Des Moines Police Department
Iowa
End of Watch: Monday, September 29, 1919

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, September 29, 1919
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Died in prison

Detective McCarthy was shot and killed after arresting a burlgar. He was working undercover with a local milkman investigating a series of burglaries. The burlgar was entering houses while the milkman was making deliveries, using the noise as cover. The delivery driver pointed out a suspicous 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 been with the agency for eight years and was survived by his wife and seven children, ages seven to 15.