In the winter of 1971, Philadelphia Police Officer John F. McEntee, Jr., a 24-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had served in Vietnam, was tragically killed. On the evening of February 20th, he was sitting in his patrol car at the corner of Woodstock and Norris Streets, responding to what turned out to be an unfounded radio call. While he was occupied with writing a report, two young men, aged 15 and 18, approached his vehicle from behind.
Without warning, the 15-year-old, later
identified as wanting to 'kill a cop,' drew a pistol and fired twice into the back of Officer McEntee's head. The senseless act was met with a swift response from law enforcement, and both youths were quickly apprehended and charged with murder. The motive, as stated by the shooter himself, was simply that he 'just wanted to.'
The subsequent legal proceedings were complex and drawn out. In 1973, the 15-year-old shooter was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, with his 18-year-old companion providing testimony. However, due to legal issues, a new trial was granted, and in 1975, he was again convicted and sentenced to life. Astonishingly, further legal challenges led to a third trial, during which he was released on bond.
Finally, in 1979, the killer was convicted for a third time and returned to prison to serve a life sentence. His accomplice, in exchange for his testimony, received a sentence of 3 to 20 years. Officer McEntee, who had been with the Philadelphia Police Department for only a year and a half, was survived by his wife and daughter.
