Roll of Honor
James Batchelder
Incident
Deputy Marshal James Batchelder was shot and killed at the Boston Courthouse while he and other deputy marshals were attempting to keep a mob of citizens from freeing a prisoner in Boston, Massachusetts. The prisoner, Anthony Burns, was an escaped slave from Virginia and was about to be returned to that state. A group of abolitionists attempted to keep the man in Massachusetts so he would not be returned to slavery, but when their legal pleas failed, they stormed the courthouse by breaking down the main door. Shots were exchanged between the group and the deputy marshals. Deputy Marshal Batchelder was fatally wounded. The other marshals were able to hold the group off. A total of 18 people were arrested as a result of the incident. Three men were charged in connection with Deputy Marshal Batchelder's death. One was acquitted and charges were dropped against the other two after several mistrials. After he was returned to Virginia by federal authorities, abolitionists purchased Anthony Burns' freedom and he returned to Boston in 1855. He moved to Canada where he became a pastor. Deputy Marshal Batchelder had been deputized by the United States Marshal in Boston to provide guard duty at the courthouse.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CBDC9B3C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
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Deputy U.S. Marshal Batchelder served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy U.S. Marshal James Batchelder 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Batchelder's cause is highlighted.
How James Batchelder Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Batchelder is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Batchelder was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
