James G. England
Agency patch
Patrolman

James G. England

New Bedford Police Department — New Bedford, MA
Felonious
End of Watch September 14, 1955
Age 40
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 91 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James England was shot and killed with his own service weapon at the Veterans Administration Medical Center on Elm Street. When a man went to the police station reporting that a gang was following him, Patrolman England was assigned to accompany him to the medical center. Upon arriving at the location, the man grabbed Patrolman England's gun, and a struggle ensued, and Patrolman England was shot in the stomach. He was transferred to St. Luke's Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. The suspect, 32, was committed to Bridgewater State Mental Hospital for life. Patrolman England had served with the New Bedford Police Department for eight years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-FD07A5E0
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman England gave the New Bedford Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Bedford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman England.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New Bedford, Bristol County, MA
Platform Identity nbpd.bristol.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 14, 1955
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

Patrolman James G. England 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 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 New Bedford Police Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.

New Bedford Police Department
1
of 4 officers
25% Felonious
MA — Statewide
199
of 469 officers
42.4% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James G. England's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How James G. England Compares

Age at Death
40
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James G. England is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James G. England was killed by officer's handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location