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.
Echoing sentiments from the previous reflection, there is no harder job in LE than a Correctional Officer. On this 111th anniversary of your untimely and heroic departure rest in peace always knowing that no passage of time can ever erase your service and sacrifice.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) March 26th, 2021
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-DE-0E854F11- 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
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 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 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 5.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
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
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
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.
