On this date (February 25) 1981 a wife lost a husband, his father and mother lost a son, his siblings lost
a brother and Dallas lost a Police Officer.
Police Officer John Thomas McCarthy, Badge Number 4162, age 24, died at Presbyterian Hospital as a result of a gun shot received on February 23, 1981.
While on routine patrol, Officer McCarthy and his partner, Officer Phillip Brown observed a vehicle parked in the 600 block East Lawther Drive adjacent to the shore of White Rock Lake.
Observing a male occupant of the vehicle was nude and a female was partially dressed, they requested them to leave.
As Officer McCarthy turned to return to the police vehicle, the male occupant exited the vehicle, said, “I am sorry officers” and raised a handgun firing three shots, one striking Officer McCarthy in the back of the head.
At this time Officer Brown fired at the suspect as he fled towards the lake. He jumped in to the lake at which time Officer Brown fired one additional shot. The suspect surrendered at this time and was taken into custody.
The female who originally declared she was OK when asked by the Officers, later claimed she was being raped by the suspect, identified as Stephen Ray Nethery, age 20.
The suspect was found to be wanted for Aggravated Robbery and Probation Violation. He was charged with Attempt Capital Murder, which was upgraded to Capital Murder upon the death of Officer McCarthy.
The suspect was indicted and found guilty upon trial. He received the death penalty and was executed on May 27, 1994.
Police Officer John Thomas McCarthy, a two year veteran of the Dallas Police Department is interred at the Arlington Park Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida in the Ascension Section.
