James E. Boland

MI State Police — Lansing, MI

Felonious

End of Watch July 26, 1987

Age 42

The Vigil Panel 132 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 56

Incident

Trooper Boland was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic in Traverse City following a community event. The drunk driver fled the scene but was later apprehended. She pled guilty to negligent homicide.

Survivors

Trooper Boland was survived by his wife, five children, parents, and siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-51D820CB
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.
Trooper Boland served with the Michigan State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Boland.

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

Agency

Department MI State Police

Location Lansing, MI

Platform Identity msp.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 26, 1987

Age 42

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Guilty of manslaughter

Trooper James E. Boland 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At MI State Police, 27 of 57 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.4% of this agency's fallen.

MI State Police

of 57 officers

47.4% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious