Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James McCarl died after being kicked in the stomach while placing a prisoner in a jail cell at the borough's police department. He had just arrested the subject for being drunk and disorderly after being called to the man's home. Officer McCarl was unlocking the cell door when the man kicked him in the stomach, rupturing his bowels. The man then escaped, but was captured by angry citizens a short time later. Doctors tended to Officer McCarl's injuries but he died approximately two hours later.
The suspect was charged with murder. At his trial two doctors testified Officer McCarl died of shock due to internal injuries. The defense argued Officer McCarl died from heart trouble due to over exertion from dealing with the prisoner. He was acquitted.
Officer McCarl was survived by his wife, three daughters, and five sisters.
Survivors
Officer McCarl was survived by his wife, three daughters, and five sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-C5003633- 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.
Police Officer McCarl served with the Houston Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McCarl.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James A. McCarl 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 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 A. McCarl's cause is highlighted.
How James A. McCarl Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. McCarl is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Houston Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.