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Incident
Sergeant Carter was struck and killed by a stolen car that was being driven by a 20-year-old man at a high rate of speed at 0130 hours. The driver and a companion were leaving from the scene of a armed robbery in Auburndale when they forced a man at gunpoint to surrender his car. Sergeant Carter had stopped a speeder when the suspect car came over a hill, struck his patrol car, and them him. Both were apprehended the next day in South Boston. The driver was sentenced to 17 years but was released after only 18 months. Sergeant Carter had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his three children. He was a U.S. Army Veteran.
Survivors
Sergeant Carter had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Carter gave the Newton Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Newton community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James P. Carter Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Newton Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 2 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 37. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
James was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 14.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Newton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 10.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Newton Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, James among them.
Military Service
James P. Carter Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James P. Carter Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Newton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
