Roll of Honor
Incident
Correction Officer James Callahan suffered a fatal heart attack when he was assaulted by an inmate at the Middlesex House of Correction and Jail at 269 Treble Cove Road in North Billerica.
At 6:05 a.m., the inmate was being moved to an isolation unit for creating disturbances throughout the night. While walking with the inmate, he began to kick and swing at the guards, hitting one in the head and striking a huge blow to Officer Callahan in the abdomen. He immediately began to wheeze and gasp for air. Officer Callahan was transported to Saint John's Hospital where he had passed away on arrival.
Officer Callahan had served with the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-3871CF67- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correction Officer Callahan gave the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Medford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correction Officer Callahan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Correction Officer James A. Callahan, Sr. 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Middlesex County Sheriff's Office, 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. James A. Callahan, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James A. Callahan, Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Callahan, Sr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James A. Callahan, Sr. was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Middlesex County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
