Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I'll never forget the feeling I had when I got the phone call about this tragedy 11 years ago. My heart ached for everyone there and his family. This world lost an amazing officer and role model for both the community and other officers. I may police over 750 miles away now but I still think of Joe when I hit the streets. RIP brother. Gone but never forgotten. Walk the streets of heaven with honor, you earned it.

Patrolman
Endicott Police

December 29, 2013

May God hold you in His hands,and until we meet again My only nephew (I hardly knew Ye!)

DS2 Bernie McGarry
Uncle Bernie

July 17, 2013

Not a day goes by that I don't think about that night and what could have done different. Miss you

Sgt. Gut
MBPD

July 2, 2013

Joe, I'll never forget the night the call came out; "Myrtle Beach PD needs assistance, Officer down"! Thanks for your service. Rest in peace.

Greater love has no one than this; that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Captain Lance A Winburn
Horry County Police Department

May 6, 2013

Joe, I will never forget you or this day. I dont have much to say today but you are today and everyday in my thoughts.

P/O Steven Cabral
Baltimore City Police

December 29, 2012

Well, today has been ten years since you were taken from your family, friends, and everyone you touched along the way. Even after ten years, I find it difficult to think about my first year in police work. You taught me many valuable aspects of policing and life during the short time I knew you as a friend and many times as a partner on calls. I can honestly state, each day I put on my uniform I think about you, and know you watch over your brothers and sisters that continue to work the streets. I will always respect the knowledge you provided me and others, which I am sure it’s officers like yourself that pushed others to become true role models and leaders in life and the profession we chose. Your legacy as a person and police officer go much further than Myrtle Beach, SC and is seen through the wonderful posts on this sight. There was never a person to say a negative thing about Joey McGarry and I hope I truly have half the legacy left behind when my turn comes to join you. Thanks for everything you did and still do through your spirit and memories. Rest in peace brother; we will all join you soon enough in peace and eternal happiness.

Sergeant Michael M. Straube
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (TN)

December 29, 2012

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN 10 YEARS, SINCE YOUR LIVE WAS TAKEN AWAY. AND STILL 10 YEARS LATER WERE WAITING FOR JUSTICE. THERE'S NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK OF YOU, KNOWING YOUR IN HEAVEN WATCHING OVER US, YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN BLUE. AND EVERYTIME I PASS BY THE NORTH DOOR WHERE WE PUT A MONUMENT OF YOU. AND THE DOVES THAT FLY IN AND OUT OF THE TREE, AS WE PASS BY. IT'S LIKE YOUR AND PROTECTING AND KEEPING WATCH OVER US, BY SPREADING YOUR WINGS FROM HEAVEN OVER US. MISS YOU

DETENTION OFFICER 1
MYRTLE BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT

December 13, 2012

Joe you are a true friend to Tracy and I, it's hard to believe you've been up there watching over us for the last ten years. Wishing you were still down here sharing in our lives. We miss ya brother!

John Agro
Friend

December 3, 2012

Althoug having never met or worked with PO McGarry just being here in Myrtle Beach for vacation I can't help but think of the sacrifice he made.

RET PO Greg Durand
NYPD/FSD Support Services Bureau

July 14, 2012

Hey Joe. I'm not a police officer anymore. I drive a truck now but sometimes I'll be driving down the road and you'll just pop in my head out if the blue. I do miss serving with you and the MBPD. Good times. It's still hard to believe that you're gone, but you're not forgotten buddy.

T.J. Marcum
Former MBPD Officer

March 9, 2012

So much time has passed, and yet it's like yesterday. I heard about the new trial and was so angry that your family once again has to deal with that POS. I think about you often and will never forget the laughs and jokes we shared at the Academy. I tell your story to new recruits and how personal it was for me so I know your death was not in vain, I want you to know that you are training new officers and still making the streets safer. Till we meet again my friend.

Sgt. Mark Freeman
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office

March 2, 2012

Hey Joe! Just thinking of you and your family. I stood side by side with you on numerous calls. Hardly a day goes by that you don't cross my mind. Your memorial at the Famous North door at PD is a fitting reminder that we never know the day or hour the Lord Jesus will call us home. It's sad that your family once again has to be put thru the events of that night. I'll see you again my fellow Peacekeeper!

PFC. D. McConnaughy
Myrtle Beach Police Dept. S.C.

February 8, 2012

My friend, co worker and my brother in blue. You are so missed, more and more. But we know God needed another Angel in Heaven when he called you home. We miss seeing your big smile, and your hard work an dedication you had towards your job, you always went a step above and beyond. And always making time in your busy schedule for a child.

Sharon Riley-Moskovic
Myrtle Beach Poilce Dept

December 29, 2011

Can't watch a Red Sox/Yankees game without thinking of you, Joe. You are still with us and will never be forgotten.

Luci Mauro
Myrtle Beach Police Dept

December 29, 2011

I cant believe it has been 9 years. The ring of gunfire, police lights and the mournful faces of your fellow officers is still so fresh.
Thank you for your sacrifice and thank you to all the MBPD officers who put their emotions sad that night to comfort two scared 18 year olds.
As always, you are thought of every day.

Jessica Ackerman (formerly Edwards)
Witness to murder

December 29, 2011

Joe you are still missed and thought of on a daily basis, You were and are a wonderful young man. I'm sure you are continuing to help lead the young to a better way even in heaven. God Bless you and continue to bless your family.

Rhonda Nobles
Myrtle Beach Police

December 29, 2011

Joe was a great cop and even better friend. He was a great credit to his parents, friends and the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

KJ Mann
Myrtle Beach PD

December 29, 2011

Today is the 9th anniversary since your tragic death. I think of you often, but probably not enough. You were loved here at MBPD when you walked the streets and you are still loved just as much, but you are now walking above; making sure each of us is protected. Thank you for everything you gave us and thank you for giving your all.

Detective Steven Clothier
Myrtle Beach Police Dept

December 29, 2011

If everyone was given the option to convict a cop killer of voluntary manslaughter, then this would not be a good world! Officer McGarry, this incident will not be forgotten and neither will you! I pray that God watches over your family on this horrible anniversary day. I also pray that the suspect will be convicted of MURDER!

Concerned officer

December 29, 2011

MANSLAUGHTER!!!!!! Are you kididng me??? This is why crime is SOOOO high in the U.S. today. We need to bring back capital punishment....

An Outraged U.S. Citizen....

December 29, 2011

miss you

greg tainsh
east providence police

August 27, 2011

Hi Joe,

I was just thinking about you and decided to visit your page today. I can hardly believe it's been close to 9 years since you passed. I do think about you and your family and are always in my thoughts. I often think and hope that you and Dave are re-united in heaven. You two were/are wonderful people and were good friends and are surely missed by many. Rest Joe, we'll take it from here.

Your Friend always,

Robert Bessell

Ptlm. Bessell - Retired
Warwick, RI

June 6, 2011

I remember meeting you in the mid 90's at Salve, I was already on the job and you were just a "kid" in class. Over the year, through your internship at the PD, I came to know the "man" that had a passion for law enforcement that is a such a rare commodity. You were a career "cops cop" in the making and were taken way to soon from us. I miss you Joe ~ Rest in peace brother.

MPD 36
1988-2010

Sergeant (Retired) ~ Badge #36
Middletown PD (RI)

May 5, 2011

I think of you often and remember our days at Salve...most with you sitting behind me in class and making jokes or going to your house in Middletown for parties. What good times we had and such great memories. I remember your Mustang as clear as day. It is so hard for me to believe that you were taken away but I know you have touched many lives with your kind heart and great sense of humor. Miss you and always thinking of you with fond memories.
Brandie

Anonymous

March 9, 2011

Hey Joe,
Yet another year has gone by and I still feel the same on this day. It sucks! I feel down as I have every year since you were taken from us. I am trying not to become emotional this year and just remember the good things. We will see if that works.
The good thing is that I am convinced that you are watching over me from above. Many things have happened to me on the job and I am sure someone from above had a hand in keeping me safe. I am guessing it was you.
Anyway everyday I try to do my best at being half as good of a police as you were.
Rest in peace brother. I, just as many others, will never let go of your memory.

P/O Steve Cabral
Baltimore City Police

December 29, 2010