Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective George Holmes was shot and killed at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Summer Street while attempting to apprehend two suspects who had just robbed a jewelry store in the Roxbury section of Boston. One suspect was apprehended minutes later. The body of the other suspect, who was identified as the shooter, was found five days later in a Somerville railroad yard. He had died of a drug overdose. Both 21-year-old suspects had recently been released from prison after serving sentences for robbery convictions. The other suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on April 14, 1964. Detective Holmes was a World War II Army Purple Heart veteran and served with the Boston Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-9961D5D8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Detective Holmes gave the Boston Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing 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
George J. Holmes served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Detective George J. Holmes is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
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. George J. Holmes's cause is highlighted.
How George J. Holmes Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George J. Holmes is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George J. Holmes was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Boston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
