James R. Souza

Massachusetts Department of Correction — Milford, MA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch July 31, 1972

Age 29

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

The Vigil Panel 110 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Corrections Officer James Souza and Corrections Officer Alfred Baranowski were shot and killed during an escape attempt from the Norfolk Prison. The inmate's wife had smuggled the gun into the prison for him. The inmate then shot and killed his wife and attempted to escape. Officers Souza and Baranowski were killed as the inmate attempted to escape. When the inmate was unable to escape, he shot and killed himself. A prison was named in honor of Officer Baranowski and Officer Souza. Officer Souza had served with the Massachusetts Department of Correction for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MA-4D812402
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Corrections Officer Souza gave the Massachusetts Department of Correction 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milford community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Massachusetts Department of Correction

Location Milford, MA

Platform Identity mdc.worcester.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 31, 1972

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 29

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Committed suicide

Military Service

James R. Souza served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Corrections Officer James R. Souza 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 Massachusetts Department of Correction, 13 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 86.7% of this agency's fallen.

Massachusetts Department of Correction

of 15 officers

86.7% Felonious

MA — Statewide

199

of 469 officers

42.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious