Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Thomas McCullough was shot and mortally wounded by a prisoner who grabbed another guard's revolver and shot him.
A guard had opened the cell doors to take the inmates to breakfast when the suspect suddenly grabbed his service revolver and shot him twice. Attracted by the shooting, Guard McCullough came rushing to the scene only to fall immediately as the suspect fired point blank at him, the bullet entering his stomach. Other guards who reached the scene shot and mortally wounded the suspect.
Guard McCullough was taken to the Delaware Hospital in Wilmington where he died three days later. The other guard recovered from his wounds.
The New Castle County Workhouse became part of the newly formed Delaware Department of Corrections in 1956.
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BO-US-DE-0E854F11- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard McCullough served with the New Castle County Workhouse.
Thank you for your service to the New Castle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard McCullough.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Thomas C. McCullough 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 DE, 25 of 51 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 49% of this state's fallen. That is 49 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New Castle County Workhouse, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas C. McCullough's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas C. McCullough Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas C. McCullough is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas C. McCullough was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Castle County Workhouse are honored on badge.nw.
