Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Jose Maceira succumbed to complications of a gunshot wound sustained 18 months earlier while struggling with a suspect behind 8 Humphrey Place in Dorchester.
He and his partner had stopped two people for trespassing on railroad tracks. During the encounter the two subjects began struggling with the officers. As Patrolman Maceira struggled with one of the men the other man was able to grab his service revolver out of its holster and shot him in the jaw and neck.
The wound caused severe injuries to this throat and vocal cords and left him disabled. During his ensuing recovery he was only able to whisper and had extreme difficulty swallowing. As a result of his inability to swallow, he choked to death on a piece of food during his recovery. Both men were arrested.
On October 21, 1975, one, 23, was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 to 20 years. The other man, 31, was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and sentenced to 18 months.
Patrolman Maceira was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He had graduated from the Boston Police Department's academy only three weeks prior to being shot.
Survivors
He is survived by his son and sister, who worked as a civilian with the Boston Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-DCE73A7E- 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.
Patrolman Maceira served with the Boston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jose A. Maceira served in the Navy before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Jose A. Maceira 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 Boston Police Department, 45 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jose A. Maceira's cause is highlighted.
How Jose A. Maceira Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jose A. Maceira is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jose A. Maceira was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Boston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
