Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant James Purcell was shot and killed with his own service revolver during a struggle at a domestic dispute at 134 West Lanvale Street. The suspect was shot and killed by other responding officers. Sergeant Purcell had served with the agency for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-73C561E8- 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.
Sergeant Purcell gave the Baltimore City Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Purcell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant James J. Purcell 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 51.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Baltimore Police Department, 80 of 151 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James J. Purcell's cause is highlighted.
How James J. Purcell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. Purcell is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James J. Purcell was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
150 officers from Baltimore Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
