Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Boland was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic in Traverse City following a community event. The drunk driver fled the scene but was later apprehended. She pled guilty to negligent homicide.
Survivors
Trooper Boland was survived by his wife, five children, parents, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-51D820CB- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Boland served with the Michigan State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Boland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper James E. Boland 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 MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At MI State Police, 27 of 57 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James E. Boland's cause is highlighted.
How James E. Boland Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James E. Boland is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James E. Boland was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
56 officers from MI State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
