Philly Homicide on Oxygen: The Story Behind the Murder of Michael Beverly
Documentary series about the murder of a police officer in Pennsylvania and the confrontation with the Boyle Street Boys gang
What is the series about?
Philly Homicide: End of Watch is a documentary series on Oxygen that follows the tragic case of the murder of Corporal Michael Beverly from the Chester Police Department. The series, presented by investigator Chris McMullin, highlights the personal and professional costs of police work in the most troubled areas of Pennsylvania. The episode focuses on the fateful night in October 2001 when a respected police officer lost his life to a person he was actively trying to save from a life of crime. Through interviews with relatives and former colleagues, the series paints a portrait of a man who was dedicated to his community but ultimately paid the highest price.
The real case
The real case behind Philly Homicide took place on October 16, 2001, in Highland Gardens, Pennsylvania. Corporal Michael Beverly was shot multiple times in the face and chest while on patrol. The investigation revealed a complex and heartbreaking background: Michael Beverly had served as a mentor to 18-year-old Maurice Day, a member of the notorious Boyle Street Boys gang. Beverly had even contacted Maurice Day's mother in an attempt to persuade her son to leave gang life. However, this personal interest was misunderstood and exploited by the gang leaders, including Brian Rogers, who mocked Day for his close relationship with the police officer. To prove his loyalty to the gang, Day chose to eliminate his mentor.
Timeline of the case
The investigation into the murder of Michael Beverly dragged on for over a year, as the community was plagued by fear of retaliation from the Boyle Street Boys. The police employed innovative witness protection strategies to get gang members to talk. The major breakthrough came when gang leader Brian Rogers, who himself faced charges for the murder of a federal witness named Tracy Saunders, chose to cooperate with authorities. Rogers testified against Maurice Day to avoid a life sentence. This not only led to Day's conviction but also resulted in an additional ten members of the Boyle Street Boys being sentenced to prison for drug and weapon possession, effectively dissolving the gang in the area. Maurice Day received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Watch the series
The series can be streamed on the Oxygen platform, where it is part of their true crime catalog. The program is produced with a focus on authenticity and includes the actual investigators who worked on the case in Chester. For viewers interested in