Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Frank Callahan was shot and mortally wounded by a man who he attempted to stop who was running from a pawn shop at 866 Washington Street in Boston. The man had just killed the proprietor and his wife during a holdup attempt. As the suspect fled the scene through the parking lot, he encountered Patrolman Callahan. When Patrolman Callahan attempted to apprehend him, he fired two shots, striking him near his heart. Another officer who was standing nearby pursued the suspect and, when he would not stop, shot and killed him. Patrolman Callahan succumbed to his wounds at the City Hospital the next day. Patrolman Callahan had served with the Boston Police Department for 26 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-13209494- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Callahan gave the Boston Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Callahan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Frank B. Callahan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 42.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Boston Police Department, 45 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank B. Callahan's cause is highlighted.
How Frank B. Callahan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank B. Callahan is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank B. Callahan was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Boston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
