Roll of Honor
Robert Earl "Bo" McCallister
Incident
Lieutenant Bo McCallister succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on February 19th, 1981, while responding to a bank robbery at the intersection of North Progress Avenue and Nationwide Drive.
One of the bank employees was able to activate an alarm while the subject was still inside. As Lieutenant McCallister arrived at the scene, the subject was forcing two tellers to exit the bank in front of him. The man pushed the tellers aside and opened fire on Lieutenant McCallister, striking him several times.
Despite his wounds, Lieutenant McCallister was able to return fire as the subject fled into a wooded area.
Lieutenant McCallister partially recovered and remained active with the police department. He underwent numerous surgeries as a result of his wounds and passed away from complications on January 20th, 2019. His death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.
One subject, who some investigators believe shot Lieutenant McCallister, was unable to be tried for the bank robbery due to the expired statute of limitations. While other investigators believe that his murder has not been solved.
Lieutenant McCallister had served with the Susquehanna Township Police Department for 32 years. He received the Medal of Valor and Purple Heart Medal for his actions on February 19, 1981.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-B9EFA9F1- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
32 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant McCallister gave the Susquehanna Township Police Department 32 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant McCallister.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Robert Earl "Bo" McCallister 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 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 6.9 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. Robert Earl "Bo" McCallister's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Earl "Bo" McCallister Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Earl "Bo" McCallister is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Earl "Bo" McCallister was killed by handgun.