Police Officer Robert Andrew McGarvey

Robert Andrew McGarvey

Police Officer Robert McGarvey was accidentally shot by another officer inside a saloon at the intersection of 19th and Bainbridge streets, which was near the walking beats of both officers.

The saloon owner had asked the officers for assistance with selling benefits for a local church. The officers had come back to the saloon to return the proceeds. As they talked they were bantering about whose service revolver was cleaner. As the other officer began to disassemble his revolver he accidentally depressed the trigger.

The round struck officer McGarvey in the chest, killing him.

Officer McGarvey had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for five years.