District of Columbia Protective Services Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch Monday, July 4, 1977
Add to My HeroesMack Wesley Cantrell
Officer Mack Cantrell succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on March 9th, 1977, when a Muslim terrorist group took over the District Building and two other nearby buildings.
During the attack, the terrorists murdered a local journalist and shot a member of the District of Columbia councilman. Officer Cantrell was struck in the head with buckshot during the incident before the terrorists took dozens of hostages. The hostages were eventually freed following extended negotiations involving the ambassadors of Pakistan, Iran, and Egypt.
All the hostage-takers were taken into custody and subsequently convicted of numerous crimes. The leader of the group was sentenced to 21 to 120 years in prison. He died at Federal Correctional Institute Butner on November 13th, 2003.
Officer Cantrell recovered enough from his wounds to return to duty on June 19th, 1977 but suffered a fatal heart attack on his first day back. He was taken to a local hospital where he passed away on July 4th, 1977.
Officer Cantrell was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the District of Columbia Protective Services Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife, four daughters, and one granddaughter.
Bio
- Age 51
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, March 9, 1977
- Weapon Shotgun
- Offender Sentenced to 120 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsRIP sir; you will never ever be forgotten.
Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"
September 5, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Master Police Officer Christine Peters
Greenbelt Police Department, MD
EOW: January 14, 2021

Conservation Officer Steven Reighard
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, IA
EOW: January 8, 2021

Police Officer Melton "Fox" Gore
Horry County Police Department, SC
EOW: January 12, 2021

Sergeant Frederick "Butch" Cameron
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, VA
EOW: January 12, 2021

Officer Troy Allen Adkins
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: December 31, 2020

Unit Team Supervisor Gabe Morales
Kansas Department of Corrections, KS
EOW: December 22, 2020

Lieutenant William Lyle Gardner
Denver City Police Department, TX
EOW: January 7, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Jane Alice Ash
Effingham County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: December 16, 2020

Sergeant Randall Sims
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: January 3, 2021