Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Saturday, February 20, 1971
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 6 months
Badge Number: 3725
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 20, 1971
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Police Officer John McEntee was shot and killed as he was sitting in his patrol car at the corner of Woodstock Street and Norris Street.
He and other officers had responded to an unfounded radio call. Two youths, 15 and 18, walked up behind his car as he was writing a report. The 15-year-old pulled a pistol and shot him twice in the back of the head. Both were apprehended and charged with murder. When asked why did you shoot him, the killer replied, "I just wanted to." Witnesses stated he told them, "I want to kill a cop."
In 1973, the boy, with testimony from his companion, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He received a new trial and was sentenced to life again in 1975. Due to legal issues in both trials, a third trial was ordered, and he was released in lieu of bond. In 1979, he was convicted a third time and sent to prison for life. In consideration of the other suspect's testimony, he was sentenced to 3 to 20 years.
Officer McEntee was a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 1 1/2 years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.