Cook County Sheriff's Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Saturday, December 2, 1967
Age: 59
Tour of Duty: 29 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: December 2, 1967
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Detective Walter McCarthy was accidentally shot and killed in the parking lot of the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department at 1154 Ridge Road in Homewood, Illinois, at approximately 10:00 am.
He was exiting his vehicle in the parking lot when his revolver was accidentally discharged. The round struck him in the head, killing him. Detective McCarthy normally carried his revolver wrapped in a handkerchief inside his pocket instead of in its holster and it is believed that resulted in the accidental discharge.
Detective McCarthy had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department for three years and had previously served with the Chicago Police Department for 26 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, grandson, and brother.