Roll of Honor
Incident
Inspector James De Shazo succumbed to injuries sustained on November 13th, 1914, when he was assaulted inside the Massachusetts District Police office at 476 Main Street in Worcester.
A man had come into the office for an examination for a fireman's license. An argument ensued between the man and Inspector De Shazo during which the man violently assaulted him. The assault left Inspector De Shazo bedridden and he died from complications of the injuries he received on May 17th, 1915.
Inspector De Shazo had served with the Massachusetts District Police for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MA-81C4CDD5- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Inspector De Shazo gave the Massachusetts District Police 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector De Shazo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector James B. De Shazo 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James B. De Shazo's cause is highlighted.
How James B. De Shazo Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James B. De Shazo is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James B. De Shazo was killed by person.