Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Preston was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest on a male and female for a statutory offense near 97 Lowell Street. During the arrest the male suspect shot him four times, killing him. The suspect was later acquitted of all charges at trial. Patrolman Preston was U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Wakefield Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, five sisters, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-50EFF1F7- 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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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.
Patrolman Preston gave the Wakefield Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Wakefield 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 A. Preston served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman James A. Preston 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 97,759 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 Wakefield Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James A. Preston's cause is highlighted.
How James A. Preston Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Preston is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James A. Preston was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
James A. Preston served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James A. Preston’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wakefield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
