Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Captain James Meehan was shot and mortally wounded by a man he attempted to arrest for an assault.
Captain Meehan was patrolling his beat when he saw the suspect, along with two companions, attack a man on the 13th Street Bridge. As he intervened the suspect fled, but he managed to arrest his two companions. As he was walking the two to jail the suspect snuck up behind him and shot him in the back four times. Captain Meehan turned and emptied his revolver as the three ran off, and then collapsed as two fellow officers arrived on the scene and captured the suspects.
Captain Meehan was taken to the Franklin Hospital where he died from his wounds two days later. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and hanged August 18, 1908.
Captain Meehan was a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served as a sergeant in the 161st Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
No passage of time can ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) November 25th, 2020
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BO-US-PA-09C9C072- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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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.
Police Captain Meehan gave the Franklin Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Franklin 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 Edward Meehan served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Police Captain James Edward Meehan 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Edward Meehan's cause is highlighted.
How James Edward Meehan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edward Meehan is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edward Meehan was killed by handgun; pistol.
Military Service
James Edward Meehan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Edward Meehan’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Franklin Police Department are honored on badge.nw.