John McCarthy

On the night of February 22, 1981, Dallas Police Officer John Thomas McCarthy, a 24-year-old White male, was on patrol with his partner, Officer Phillip Brown. With two years of service on the force, McCarthy was a dedicated officer, remembered by colleagues as one of the best among them. His legacy of exemplary service is honored annually by the Dallas Police Department through the John T. McCarthy Officer of the Year Award, a commendation for officers who demonstrate outstanding contributions to law enforcement.

In the early hours of the morning, well after midnight, McCarthy and his partner were patrolling the White Rock Lake area, a part of their duties that included investigating suspicious vehicles in what was known as a high-crime area. They spotted a car parked in the 600 block of East Lawther Drive and pulled up alongside it. Inside, they found a man, who was naked, and a partially clothed woman. The officers instructed the couple to get dressed and leave the area.

As Officer McCarthy turned to walk back to the patrol car, the man, identified as 20-year-old Stephen Ray Nethery, exited his vehicle. Resting his arm on the roof of his car, Nethery said, "I'm sorry," and then fired three quick shots. One of the bullets struck Officer McCarthy in the back of the head. As Officer Brown returned fire, Nethery fled toward the lake. Brown pursued him, chasing him into the water where Nethery eventually surrendered. When Officer Brown returned to the scene, he found his partner on the ground, calling for help on his radio.

Officer McCarthy was rushed to the hospital, where he was placed on life support. His injuries, however, were catastrophic. He passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 1981. He was survived by his wife. The investigation by the Dallas Police Department quickly revealed the sinister context of the shooting. The woman in the car with Nethery informed officers that he had been sexually assaulting her when the police arrived. She had met him at a bar earlier that evening, and he had persuaded her to go to the secluded spot, where the assault occurred.

Following Officer McCarthy's death, the charges against Stephen Ray Nethery were upgraded to capital murder. He was held on a $200,000 bond for attempted capital murder, which was increased after McCarthy died. Nethery was tried and convicted for the capital murder of Officer McCarthy. The jury found that his actions were deliberate, that he posed a future threat to society, and that his conduct was an unreasonable response to any perceived provocation by the officer.

Nethery was sentenced to death by lethal injection. He spent years on death row, exhausting his appeals through state and federal courts. His conviction and sentence were consistently upheld. On May 27, 1994, thirteen years after he murdered Officer John McCarthy, Stephen Ray Nethery was executed by the State of Texas. In a final statement, he asked for prayers for his family and for the family of his victim.

The case remains a painful memory for the Dallas Police Department and the community. Officer McCarthy is listed among the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. In February 2024, his sister, Mary McCarthy Middleton, shared a reflection, stating, "Time heals the heart and we do move forward in the Mercy of God. But, I miss him and think about him every day. I, also continue to pray for the Dallas Officers who serve and protect." The case is closed, with the perpetrator having been brought to justice, but the loss of a young officer in such a violent and senseless act has not been forgotten.